Chile’s shipbuilding sector has entered the international market as ASENAV signed its first ship construction contract with towage services provider SAAM.
The agreement sets out the construction of a state-of-the-art tugboat at ASENAV’s facilities in Valdivia, to be built in line with international standards.
Construction is expected to take around 15 months, with the vessel scheduled to join SAAM’s fleet in Canada during the first half of 2027.
SAAM CEO Macario Valdés said the contract demonstrates Chile’s capacity to serve demanding markets while supporting regional development: “This agreement is good news for Chile. It not only demonstrates that the country has the industrial and technological capabilities to compete in demanding markets, but also highlights the value of decentralisation and local development.
“Building this ship in Valdivia will create jobs, activate regional suppliers and strengthen an industry that can reach the world market. For SAAM, this is a concrete sign that sustainable growth also involves boosting local and regional capacities.”
READ: SAAM takes full ownership of Intertug
The vessel will be a RAstar 3200W model, designed by Robert Allan, measuring 32 metres in length and delivering more than 80 tonnes of bollard pull. It will be equipped with a constant tension winch for escort operations and a Fire-Fighting Class 1 fire extinguishing system.
Environmental performance is a central feature of the design. The tug will incorporate an advanced exhaust gas treatment system to separate nitrous oxides, enabling compliance with IMO Tier III regulations and reducing pollutant emissions.
Designed specifically for indirect escort manoeuvres, the tug also features an increased beam, improving stability and crew comfort and supporting a range of harbour duties, including operations at specialised hydrocarbon terminals.
The contract aligns with the Chilean Shipbuilding Plan, a government initiative intended to expand civil shipbuilding and support access to global markets.
Construction in Valdivia is expected to support regional employment and local supply chains, with delivery scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The project also benefits from Chile’s Free Trade Agreement with Canada, supporting its export objectives.
For more information:
ASENAV – https://www.saamtowage.com/
SAAM – https://www.saamtowage.com/
