SAAM Towage electric tugs achieve 72% GHG emission reduction in Canada

A little over a year has passed since Chile-headquartered towage services provider SAAM Towage deployed its 100% electric tugs in Canada. Within this timeframe, the company said that it has achieved “massive” reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

As disclosed, one year of operations in the Great White North yielded “landmark” sustainability metrics, with electric propulsion and other optimizations reducing the carbon intensity levels of SAAM Towage’s operations at the Port of Vancouver by up to 72% compared to conventional diesel tugs.

SAAM Towage revealed that the electric tugs’ operating costs were 70% lower than diesel-powered vessels. In addition to this, the company’s representatives have highlighted that an additional90% decrease after the second year is expected.

“Introducing electric tugboats marks a profound change in our industry. Our experience in Vancouver demonstrates that maritime electromobility is not only a viable solution that we can provide to our customers, but also offers outstanding environmental and economic benefits,” remarked Pablo Cáceres, SAAM Towage’s Sustainability and Development Manager.

The electric tugboat initiative, dubbed the Dynamo project, saw the Chilean maritime transportation player deploy a pair of units in the Port