In early June, after a traditional blessing ceremony held in Valparaiso, Chile where SAAM S.A. is based, the company officially puts two more new Robert Allan Ltd. designed RAstar 3200 class tugs Yunco and Huairavo tugs into operation.
Representatives of local authorities, the Chilean Navy, key customers, suppliers, executives and staff of SAAM attended the ceremony.
SAAM identified these tugs as the ‘most powerful’ harbour tugs in the entire West Coast of South America.
The two tugs arrived in Chile after a 60 day crossing of the Pacific from China where they were constructed by Bonny Fair Development Limited.
Equipped with winches for escort service, the two tugs will provide a full range of ship-handling service to the LNG terminal in the Bay of Quintero.
During his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Cristián Rojas, Manager of the Chile Tugs Division of SAAM, noted: "These new units are part of the plan to renew and grow our fleet to meet the needs imposed by the arrival of large container ships.” These vessels will also provide added safety in specialized Oil and Gas terminals.
SAAM with tug operations in twelve countries has a strong presence throughout America by providing service in more than 70 ports. Overall SAAM has a fleet of over 180 tugs, making it the fourth largest operator in the world and a leader in the Americas.