With eyes on the horizon, SAAM Towage unpacks its new sustainability strategy

Marking 63 years in business, Chile-based tugboat operator SAAM Towage has unveiled its 2030 Sustainability Strategy, which outlines a “clear path forward” for the company as it sails toward its decarbonization ambitions.

The company disclosed that its sustainability strategy is supported by four pillars: reportability and risk management, people and social engagement, environment and climate action, and sustainable development and projects.

Specifically, the goals that were established for 2030 include onboard personnel training, having 10% sustainable-propulsion tugs in the company’s fleet, neutralizing 65% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through reduction and offsetting initiatives with 2021 as the base year, and certifying all operations under quality and environmental management standards, SAAM Towage elaborated.

It is understood that these efforts are in line with the rules and regulations of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) as well as the standards proposed by the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

As for the governance plan, it will reportedly be led by SAAM Towage’s board of directors and senior executives, whose responsibility is to ensure compliance with the proposed objectives.

“Sustainability is a key component of our management and with this renewed strategy we are making concrete commitments to operate profitably and sustainably over time,” Macario Valdés, CEO of SAAM Towage, shared.

As per SAAM, the sustainability strategy is ‘already showing progress.’

Two years ago, Teck, Neptune Terminals, and SAAM Towage teamed up to deploy Canada’s first electric tugs in the Port of Vancouver. The two “zero-emission” ships were designed by Vancouver-based Robert Allan and, at full capacity, were expected to reduce 2,400 tons of greenhouse gases each year.

After passing their sea acceptance trials and bollard pull tests in Istanbul’s Tuzla Bay in 2023, the tugs reached the Great White North in March 2024 and were launched in the Port of Vancouver by mid-April.

The Chilean business reported that thanks to investments like this one, its fleet has slashed carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 5,000 metric tons this year.

In addition to this, SAAM’s Chilean fleet is set to start operating what is considered to be the ‘first electric tugboat in Latin America’ in 2025.

Namely, in January this year, SAAM Towage and compatriot, state-owned Empresa Nacional del Petróleo (ENAP) signed a service agreement intended to make Chile the ‘first country in Latin America’ with an electric, emission-free tugboat.

The vessel is set to operate in Puerto Chacabuco, in the Chilean south, namely the Aysén region. According to the companies, the tug is projected to offer GHG emissions-free berthing and unberthing services and minimize environmental and underwater noise.