SAAM Towage Celebrates the Christening of the Petrel in Arica, Chile’s First IMO Tier III Tugboat
In a traditional ceremony joined by local authorities and the port community, the state-of-the-art vessel strengthens port operations with an 80-tonne bollard pull capacity. Arica, Chile. September 29, 2026 — Marked by the ceremonial smashing of a bottle against the hull, SAAM Towage officially christened the SAAM Petrel in Arica. The state-of-the-art tugboat is set ...
Arica, Chile witnessed the official christening of SAAM Towage's state-of-the-art tugboat, the SAAM Petrel, on September 29, 2026. The vessel, designed by Robert Allan and built by Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey, is the first IMO Tier III certified tug in SAAM Towage's Chilean fleet. This advanced tugboat boasts an impressive 80-tonne bollard pull capacity, enabling it to support ship berthing and unberthing maneuvers across the region.
The christening ceremony was a traditional event that gathered local authorities, port community representatives, and company employees in a warm and festive atmosphere. The act of smashing a bottle against the ship's hull signified the wishes of good fortune, protection, and safe passage for the new vessel and her crew. This milestone event marked a significant moment for SAAM Towage, as it embraced its purpose to drive sustainable global trade and foster development and well-being for all.
SAAM CEO Hernán Gómez emphasized the importance of the christening, stating that the Petrel would bring cutting-edge technology to the port, ensuring efficient, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations. Javiera Hevia, the Southern Cone Cluster Manager for SAAM Towage, expressed pride in experiencing this tradition alongside the local team, highlighting the Petrel's commitment to operating under the highest safety standards.
Notably, Jenny Muñoz, a long-time team member for SAAM Towage, served as the godmother (sponsor) of the SAAM Petrel, adding to the significance of this major company milestone.
Written by urgent.news from Hellenic Shipping News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.