El Salvador, September 4, 2021. At a flagging ceremony held at the Port of Acajutla led by El Salvador’s Maritime Port Authority, the tugs SAAM Acaxual and SAAM Centzunat were registered under that country’s national emblems, giving the green light for them to operate at the port to provide services at the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal run by Energía del Pacífico.
“We are pleased to officially launch our services, which are very important for this project to supply 30% of the country’s energy demand, while diversifying the energy matrix and reducing the impact on the environment. Furthermore, it demonstrates our commitment to the region. We are supporting this important project with high-capacity vessels operated by expert personnel at the service of their customers,” remarked SAAM Towage’s Country Manager for Costa Rica and El Salvador, Joaquín Dueñas.
About the Tugs
The Rastar 3200W tugs, designed by Robert Allan Ltd., measure 32 meters long and were especially designed to meet the needs of Energía del Pacífico’s Acajutla LNG terminal.
With bollard pull of more than 80 tons, these vessels can work under dynamic traction loads of more than 135 tons at a speed of 10 knots.
Both are equipped with specific safety features such as a remotely operated gas detection and automatic isolation system and deck equipment and machinery with explosive atmosphere certification (ATEX). They also have a Fire-Fighting 1 system for fighting offship fires, certified under Bureau Veritas classification rules.
