Sanmar Shipyards has delivered two advanced tugboats to SAAM Towage, meeting IMO Tier III emission standards and enhancing operations in the Americas.
Sanmar Shipyards has delivered two new and advanced tugboats to SAAM Towage, the largest towing operator in the Americas.
Built in compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards, the vessels were recently handed over to SAAM Towage officials after successfully completing sea trials conducted at Sanmar’s facilities in Altınova. The tugs, renamed SAAM CARANCHO and SAAM KANAN, will serve in operations in Chile and Mexico, respectively.
With this latest delivery, the number of Sanmar-built tugs operating in the SAAM Towage fleet has reached 15. This figure clearly demonstrates SAAM's confidence in Sanmar's engineering capabilities, construction quality, and commitment to producing environmentally friendly, advanced technology tug solutions, as one of the world's leading towing companies.
SAAM CARANCHO is a Bigaçay Class escort tug based on the RAstar 2900SX design, specially developed for Sanmar by the internationally renowned Canadian naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd. This vessel offers 80 tons of bollard pull and a free sailing speed of 12 knots, specifically designed for challenging offshore escort operations where superior sea-keeping ability is vital. The tug is powered by twin CAT 3516E main engines, each producing 2,350 kW, and is also equipped with a FiFi 1 class fire-fighting system.
SAAM KANAN, on the other hand, is a Boğaçay Class tug produced based on Robert Allan Ltd.'s proven RAmparts 2400SX-MKII design. Driven by twin CAT 3516E main engines providing 2,350 kW each, this vessel offers high maneuverability thanks to its twin Z-drive system and is designed to provide efficient and reliable ship handling services in busy port traffic. The tug also possesses FiFi 1 fire-fighting capabilities, combining operational efficiency with advanced environmental performance.
The collaboration between Sanmar and SAAM Towage began in 2018 and has been steadily growing since then. This continuity highlights the strong vision alignment of both companies in providing safe, secure, and sustainable towing services in international markets.
Commenting on the deliveries, Sanmar Shipyards Commercial Director Ruchan Civgin stated:
‘Our partnership with SAAM Towage is built on mutual trust, shared values, and a vision for a more sustainable maritime industry. These state-of-the-art tugs perfectly blend high-performance capabilities with stringent environmental standards that directly address regional operational needs.’
SAAM Towage Innovation and New Construction Director Pablo Caceres expressed his views as follows:
‘At SAAM, we are very pleased and proud to receive our 15th tug from Sanmar. This is tangible proof of the strong business partnership we have developed with a manufacturer that shares our vision and core values. These two tugs will provide tailored solutions for our specific operations and customer needs in Chile and Mexico, thanks to their capabilities, designs, and SAAM-specific adaptations.’
These latest deliveries further reinforce Sanmar's global leadership position in advanced and sustainable tug production while continuing to make significant contributions to SAAM Towage's modernization and growth objectives across the Americas.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
