SAAM Towage has signed a contract with Belov Shipyard to build four new tugboats for its operations in Brazil.
The investment forms part of the company’s fleet renewal strategy and supports its continued expansion in one of its largest markets.
SAAM Towage currently operates in 19 Brazilian ports with a fleet of more than 65 vessels. The company said it has one of the country’s largest tug fleets and the highest average bollard pull in the market.
The new vessels will be 70-tonne bollard pull azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugboats. They will be equipped with FiFi 1 firefighting systems and built to a design developed by naval architecture firm Robert Allan Ltd.
“We are strengthening our operations across the markets where we operate by investing in state-of-the-art assets,” said Renata Ervilha, Country Manager of SAAM Towage Brazil. “Brazil is one of the most important markets for our company, and our focus is to continue growing while delivering the highest level of service to our customers.”
The company said the project will also support the local shipbuilding industry.
“We’re pleased to create value for the local logistics chain by working alongside Belov,” said Ervilha. “This project will help stimulate the economy in Salvador, Bahia, while reinforcing our commitment to the development of the region’s maritime industry.”