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 to support ship berthing and unberthing maneuvers across the region.
As one of the maritime industry’s most cherished and deeply rooted traditions, the christening ceremony symbolizes wishes of good fortune, protection, and safe passage for the vessel and her crew. The milestone brought together local authorities, port community representatives, and company employees in a warm and traditional setting.
Staying true to SAAM’s tradition of naming vessels after the marine life that defines the waters they navigate, the tug is named after the petrel, a seabird native to the local coastline. Designed by Robert Allan and built by the Sanmar Shipyards in Turkey, the vessel is part of SAAM Towage’s regional fleet renewal program.
“The christening of the Petrel truly embodies our purpose as a company: driving sustainable global trade that fosters development and well-being for all. Investing in these capabilities enables us to keep connecting Chile to the world through services that are increasingly efficient, reliable, and environmentally responsible,” said SAAM CEO Hernán Gómez.
Javiera Hevia, Southern Cone Cluster Manager for SAAM Towage, highlighted the significance of the event for both the port and the local team: “Experiencing this tradition in Arica alongside authorities and our people is a great source of pride. The Petrel not only brings cutting-edge technology to swiftly meet customer demands, but it also reflects our crews’ day-to-day commitment to operating under the highest safety standards.”
The ceremony also featured Jenny Muñoz, a dedicated SAAM team member for 25 years, who served as the godmother (sponsor) of the SAAM Petrel, marking this major company milestone.
