Saam News

At SAAM’s annual general meeting last week, Chairman Óscar Hasbún outlined the objectives for the company's new phase, following the sale of the port terminals and inland logistics division."SAAM has robust solvency and liquidity indicators and a solid capital structure for this new cycle where our objective is clear: to become a leading global operator in the towage business and a regional leader in airport logistics. We are already a benchmark in both businesses and have developed a unique operating model…

The Mongla Port Authority in Bangladesh has taken delivery of its new tug, M.T. Joymoni.The newbuild is a RAmparts 3200-CL designed by Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. and built by Cheoy Lee Shipyards, in China.The RAmparts 3200-CL was designed by Robert Allan Ltd. in 2008 exclusively for Cheoy Lee Shipyards, with the first tug, Ocean Pioneer, delivered to Ocean Sparkle in India in 2011. Based on the RAmparts series, the hull form was developed to provide a high performance, multi-function tug in a shallow draft configuration, with bollard pull of up to 85 tonnes, the designer said.M.T.

SAAM reported net income of US$501 million in 2023, representing its best-ever results thanks to the sale of its port and logistics assets to Hapag-Lloyd, which generated a net gain of US$422 million.Sales for the year totaled US$540 million and EBITDA was US$160 million, surpassing the prior year by 17% and 9%, respectively."The sale of our port terminal and inland logistics operations leaves us in a solid position to move forward on the path we have set for ourselves: to lead the consolidation process in the towage industry and grow in air cargo logistics services.

The first electric tugs of the SAAM Towage's fleet, built by SANMAR Shipyards, have reached the Port of Vancouver in Canada. The vessels are named Saam Volta and Chief Dan George."We continue to make progress on this milestone for SAAM Towage, which is part of our strategy to drive innovation and development for increasingly sustainable operations. These tugs, which are the result our alliance with Teck and Neptune Terminals, show our commitment to seek alternatives in our industry to reduce the carbon footprint and support the fight against global climate change…

Markey Machine won a first-ever contract from SAAM Towage to retrofit the controls on a Timberland towing winch aboard the Point Valiant, a tug based in Vancouver, B.C.SAAM first outlined the project to Markey last May, then hired Sentinel Survey, Markey’s after-market service division, to undertake on-site inspection of the winch. Following inspection, Markey offered its Class I winch-control package, and SAAM responded with an order near the end of December. The winch controls package will be provided in mid-2024.“Markey’s achievements in workboat winches are widely known…

The first electric tugs for SAAM Towage's fleet are ready to sail from the Port of Tuzla to Vancouver, Canada, where they will join the fleet operating in that country.SAAM Towage's Engineering and Development Manager, Pablo Cáceres, said, "We are one step closer to having our electric tugs operating, which for us represents the way to advance towards more sustainable operations and move our business into the future."The Sanmar-built vessels have successfully completed their final seaworthiness trials and will soon be loaded onto the cargo ship BBC Emerald…

Two electric-powered emissions-free electric tugboats built by Sanmar Shipyards in Türkiye are undergoing sea trials ahead of being delivered to SAAM Towage’s Canadian fleet. The tugs are based on the ElectRA 2300SX design from Robert Allan Ltd (RAL). They were launched on April 8 and September 9 respectively, and measure 23.4m LOA, with an 11.9m beam and maximum draft of 5.5m, and a bollard pull of 70 tonnes based on a battery power of 3616 kWh.The tugs have Schottel SRP460 LE thrusters with 2,700mm diameter propellers, and can achieve a speed ahead of 11.5 knots.

Turkey's Sanmar Shipyards announced it has delivered a second electric-powered tug to HaiSea Marine in Canada.The newly built HaiSea Wee’git and its sister HaiSea Wamis, delivered earlier this year, will provide harbor and escort tugboat services to tankers calling at LNG Canada’s new export facility in Kitimat, British Columbia. A third electric tug, HaiSea Brave,  is scheduled to be delivered later this year.The 28.4-meter-long tugs are based on the exclusive-to-Sanmar ElectRA 2800SX design from Vancouver-headquartered naval architects, Robert Allan Ltd.

SAAM reported comparable net income of $18.9 million for the first quarter of 2023 (-19%). This figure excludes $1.3 million in extraordinary accounting losses related to the binding agreement to sell the port terminal and associated logistics operations to Hapag-Lloyd.Sales totaled $218.1 million (+8%) and consolidated EBITDA $67.7 million (-4%)."During the period we saw a decrease in volumes at our port and logistics operations, mainly due to less dynamic trade in Chile, while cargo at our foreign terminals remained stable.

Towage provider SAAM on Thursday announced it has concluded the purchase of 21 tugboats from the Brazilian company Starnav, including 19 tugs currently in operation and two additional vessels in the final phase of construction.“This is one of the largest transactions in SAAM's history and is part of our strategy to continue advancing our leadership in the towage industry. Brazil is home to our company’s largest operations and with this deal we will have one of the most competitive…

SAAM Towage announced it has added another tug to its fleet in Uruguay.The Portobelo, hailing from Panama, has already reached Montevideo to reinforce SAAM Towage’s fleet of 11 vessels in the country.“This makes our 12th tug and it’s the most modern in our fleet. It will enable us to continue to grow and offer our customers safe, efficient service,” said Javiera Hevia, country manager of SAAM Towage Uruguay.The vessel, a Damen ASD 2411, is a powerful, highly maneuverable tug with a compact design (24 meters in length and 11 in beam).

Once again, SAAM Towage verified and fully offset the greenhouse gas emissions from its Colombian operations. The measurement process, certified by Bureau Veritas, considered all direct emissions and all indirect emissions from energy consumption, transportation and products and services used by the organization.“We operated sustainably to benefit our planet and our community, and to generate value for our customers and strategic partners. We have become more and more efficient at using our resources…

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd announced it has signed a binding agreement today under which it will acquire 35% of J M Baxi Ports & Logistics Limited (JMBPL) from a Bain Capital Private Equity affiliate.Additionally, Hapag-Lloyd AG signed a binding agreement with JMBPL and its promoters, the Kotak family, to subscribe to a capital increase by the company and raise Hapag-Lloyd’s shareholding to 40%. The contracting parties agreed to not disclose any financial details of the deal.J M Baxi Ports & Logistics Limited is a private terminal and inland transport service provider in India.

For the fifth year in a row, SAAM Towage was recognized by the Ministry of the Environment’s Huella Chile program for measuring and assuring its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during 2021.“Our commitment is to continually seek alternatives that allow us to reduce the carbon footprint of our operations. Measuring our footprint enables us to assess our progress and set new goals for the coming years,” said SAAM Towage Chile Manager, Cristián Cifuentes.He explained that the company…

German container liner Hapag-Lloyd on Thursday announced it has completed its acquisition of a minority stake in Italy-based logistics company the Spinelli Group as global shipping firms continue to expand their port presence amid prolonged supply chain disruption.The deal was first announced in September but remained subject to the approval of antitrust authorities.With today’s closing, Hapag-Lloyd has acquired a 49% stake in one of Italy’s leading terminal and transport operators.

SAAM shareholders at an extraordinary shareholder’s meeting on Tuesday approved a deal valued at about $1 billion to sell 100% of the shares of its subsidiaries SAAM Ports and SAAM Logistics, as well as the real estate assets belonging to the logistics business, to the German liner shipping company Hapag-Lloyd.The agreement, first announced earlier this month, consists of selling SAAM’s stakes in the 10 port terminals it operates in six countries in the Americas (five are in Chile)…

SAAM Towage announced it has closed an agreement with Teck & Neptune Terminals that will allow the deployment of the first two electric tugs to its fleet.The ElectRA 2300SX tugs are designed by Vancouver-based Robert Allan Ltd. and will be built at Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey.Scheduled for delivery during the second half of 2023, the new tugs will each be powered by two separate battery lithium-ion energy storage systems, making them 100% electric and zero-emissions ships. They will be charged by British Columbia’s hydroelectric power grid.

Hapag-Lloyd AG and SM SAAM have signed a binding agreement under which Hapag-Lloyd will acquire 100 % of the shares of SAAM Ports S.A. and SAAM Logistics S.A. and thereby the entire company’s terminal business and associated logistics services.The contracting parties agreed upon a price of around $1 billion, which also includes real estate assets related to the logistics business.Chile-based SM SAAM is a terminal operator, logistics company, and towage provider active in multiple countries in the Americas.

SAAM concluded the purchase of Ian Taylor’s towage operations in Peru."This transaction will allow us to continue consolidating our presence in Peru, with the service offering we are known for and extensive geographic coverage. We are committed to continuing to operate with excellence and safety once we add this first-rate fleet," said SAAM Towage Managing Director Hernán Gómez.SAAM Towage has been operating since 2021 in Peru. With this investment, it strengthens its presence…

SAAM Towage announced it will receive a new tug for its fleet in Panama, the SAAM Quibian, purchased from Türkiye-based Sanmar Shipyards.SAAM Towage’s Technical Manager Pablo Cáceres explained that “this tug’s equipment has been specially selected to reinforce our customers’ needs in Panama, while its compact design ensures safe maneuvers.”SAAM Quibian, the third tug to join the SAAM Towage Panamanian fleet, owes its name to the legend of a brave chief from the Caribbean coastal…

SAAM Towage has taken delivery of the tug Cóndor, acquired from Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey and now located in the Port of Callao. This is the sixth tug to join the fleet in Peru, and its main features are its energy efficiency and high maneuverability.Cristián Cifuentes, Country Manager of SAAM Towage Chile, said, “Cóndor is designed to maneuver safely in ports with reduced spaces.

Dutch marine services firm Boskalis and its co-shareholder KS Investments Pte. Ltd. (Keppel) have completed the sale of their equity stakes in their harbor towage activities in Singapore and Malaysia - Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd and Maju Maritime Pte Ltd - to Rimorchiatori Mediterranei.Boskalis received EUR 92 million in cash for its 49% equity stake in the joint ventures resulting in a pre tax book gain of approximately EUR 50 million. Keppel Smit Towage (KST) was established in 1991 as a joint venture between Keppel and SMIT, a subsidiary of Boskalis. Over the past thirty years, Boskalis said, KST/Maju has developed into one of the largest and leading providers of harbor towage services in Southeast Asia.

SAAM Towage received a new tug in Valparaiso, the Mataquito II, which passed its seaworthiness testing in Turkey, supervised by the crew that will operate it.SAAM Towage Technical Manager Pablo Cáceres explained that “this tug allows safe and effective control of the maneuver in complex operations where it is necessary to assist ships at a speed of up to 10 knots, thanks to its installed capacity and electro-hydraulic control system of the forward winch.The Mataquito II measures 29 meters wide and 13 meters in beam, and is certified with Escort and Fire-Fighting 1 class notation.