SAAM Towage
SAAM Towage is the largest tugboat operator in the Americas, providing harbour, terminal, offshore, and emergency towage services across 90+ ports in 13 countries with a fleet of 200+ vessels. It serves port authorities, shipping lines, and energy companies under negotiated service contracts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersValparaiso, Chile
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What SAAM Towage does
SAAM Towage is the maritime towage division of Sociedad Matriz SAAM S.A., a privately held Chilean multinational founded in 1961 and headquartered in Santiago. It operates the largest tugboat fleet in the Americas, comprising over 200 vessels deployed across more than 90 ports in 13 countries (North, Central, and South America), employing approximately 2,000 people and completing roughly 140,000 maneuvers and 150,000 vessel assists per year. Its service portfolio spans five core lines: harbour towage (berthing, unberthing, escort), oil and gas terminal towage, 24/7 emergency response (salvage, firefighting, environmental containment), offshore platform positioning and anchoring, and special services (ocean towing, barge assistance, maritime rescue). The fleet includes modern ASD tugboats with 80-ton bollard pull, IMO Tier III emissions-compliant vessels, mechanical hybrid propulsion systems, and an emerging electric fleet featuring the ElectRA 2300SX, a 100% battery-electric tug designed by Robert Allan Ltd., built by SANMAR Shipyards, and powered by Corvus Energy Li-ion batteries.
Revenue is generated through negotiated service contracts with port authorities, terminal operators, shipping companies, and energy customers, with country-level commercial managers handling direct bilateral relationships in each market. Strategic enterprise customers include CMA CGM (10,000 maneuvers per year across 11 countries), Teck Resources, Neptune Terminals, Oldendorff Carriers, ENAP, and Energía del Pacífico. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured per contract rather than on a published rate card. SAAM Towage has executed a sustained acquisition-led growth strategy, including the US$201 million Boskalis joint operation buyout in 2019, the US$198 million Starnav acquisition in Brazil in 2023, and the completion of full ownership of Colombia's Intertug in 2026. It is now the third-largest towage operator globally and a recognized leader in sustainable maritime services, holding ISO 14001, BASC, PAS 2060 carbon neutrality, and DJSI certifications across multiple markets.
SAAM Towage firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SAAM Towage
- Legal name
- Sociedad Matriz SAAM S.A.
- Website
- https://saamtowage.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- SAAM Towage is the largest tugboat operator in the Americas, providing harbour, terminal, offshore, and emergency towage services across 90+ ports in 13 countries with a fleet of 200+ vessels. It serves port authorities, shipping lines, and energy companies under negotiated service contracts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SAAM Towage industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Maritime Towage Services
- NAICS
- Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Other Support Activities for Water Transportation (48839)
- SIC
- Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Harbor Towage (Ship Assist & Berthing/Unberthing) (TLAHAHAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Ship Docking/Undocking & Drydock Towage (TLAHAHAD), Emergency Towage & Rescue (Disabled Vessel Assistance) (TLAHAIAA), Salvage Support Towage (Refloating/Wreck Removal Assistance) (TLAHAHAH), Barge & Offshore Towage (Barge Moves, Rig/Platform Tows) (TLAHAHAF)
Keywords
Where SAAM Towage is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Valparaiso
- HQ country
- Chile
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices4 records
Markets served
SAAM Towage business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Harbour Towage Services: Berthing, unberthing and escort services for vessels. Core revenue stream from port operations across 90+ ports.
- Terminal Towage - Oil & Gas: Specialized services for oil and gas tanker ships including docking/undocking, transshipment assistance, and escort services at offshore terminals.
- Emergency Assistance Services: 24/7 emergency response including salvaging, firefighting (FiFi), crew evacuation, and environmental damage containment.
- Offshore Services: Positioning and anchoring of Oil & Gas platforms, CPM operations assistance, and maritime services to offshore terminals.
- Special Services: Ocean towing, barge assistances, maritime rescue, anchor and boat handling, cargo transportation, and maritime support for infrastructure works.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Contract-based | Custom contracts based on port operations and service requirements |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
SAAM Towage product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SAAM Towage provides contracted maritime towage and vessel support services through a fleet of 200+ tugboats operating at 90+ ports in 13 countries across the Americas. Core services include harbour towage (berthing, unberthing, and vessel escort), terminal towage for oil & gas tankers, 24/7 emergency assistance (firefighting, salvage, environmental containment, crew evacuation), offshore platform positioning and anchoring, and special services such as ocean towing, barge assistance, and infrastructure support. The fleet includes 100% electric zero-emission ElectRA 2300SX tugs and hybrid propulsion vessels.
Product overview
SAAM Towage is a maritime towage services provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of port and sea tugboat operations across the Americas. The company provides five core service lines: Harbour Towage (berthing, unberthing, escort services), Terminal Towage – Oil&Gas (specialized services for tankers and offshore terminals), Emergency Assistance (24/7 rescue and firefighting), Offshore Services (platform positioning and anchoring), and Special Services (ocean towing, barge assistances, maritime rescue). SAAM also operates an Electric Fleet of 100% battery-powered zero-emission tugs, including the ElectRA 2300SX series, representing its sustainable technology portfolio. The company operates one of the largest tugboat fleets in the Americas with over 200 vessels serving 90+ ports across 13 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Harbour Towage Berthing, unberthing, and escort services for a diverse array of vessels and shipments at port facilities across 90+ ports in the Americas.
- Terminal Towage – Oil & Gas Specialized services for oil and gas tanker ships including docking/undocking, assistance in transshipment operations, direct/indirect escorting, and diverse maritime services onshore at oil and gas terminals.
- Emergency Assistance 24/7 emergency response services including salvaging shipwrecks, crew evacuation, fire fighting (FiFi), and environmental damage containment from spills.
- Offshore Services Positioning and anchoring of Oil & Gas platforms, assistance in CPM operations, and diverse maritime services to offshore terminals.
- Special Services Ocean towing, barge assistances, maritime rescue, anchor and boat handling duties, cargo transportation, and maritime support for infrastructure works.
- Electric Fleet 100% electric, zero-emission tugboats powered by battery systems and charged via clean hydroelectric power grid, reducing carbon emissions and underwater noise pollution for port towage services.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2,400 tonnes of CO2 emissions reduced annually per electric tug
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use SAAM Towage
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
SAAM Towage technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SAAM Towage partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.
- Belov ShipyardcoreContract signed for construction of four new 70-ton bollard pull ASD tugboats with FiFi 1 firefighting systems in Brazil. Project supports fleet renewal strategy and growth in Brazil market.
- SCHOTTELcoreGlobal agreement to strengthen maintenance of tugboat fleet, focusing on predictive maintenance solutions for azimuth systems. SCHOTTEL will assign a fleet manager to coordinate monitoring, facilitate technical information exchange, and support an integrated database. Currently 37% of SAAM's azimuth fleet has SCHOTTEL equipment.
- ASENAVcoreHistoric partnership to build state-of-the-art tugboat in Chile. Vessel meets IMO Tier III international environmental standards.
- Caterpillar MarinecoreAgreement for advancing electrification and alternative fuels in tugboat operations. Companies are working to launch diesel and methanol dual-fuel engine technology.
- UC Innovation CenterminorPartnership to evaluate SAAM's processes and participate in innovation initiatives.
- Teck Resources LimitedflagshipCommitted to using SAAM Towage's electric tug services at Neptune Terminals. Partnership enables sustainable operations through zero-emission tugboats at Port of Vancouver.
- Neptune TerminalsflagshipElectric tugboat partnership at Port of Vancouver. Neptune Terminals handles bulk commodities including potash and supports SAAM's sustainable operations.
- Oldendorff CarrierscoreLong-term commitment to use SAAM Towage's electric tugs at Port of Vancouver for sustainable maritime operations.
- BC HydrocoreProvides clean hydroelectric power for charging SAAM's electric tugs at Port of Vancouver. 98% of BC Hydro's electricity comes from clean and renewable resources.
- Value Aligned PartnerscoreAlliance for electric tugboat deployment in Canada, supporting SAAM's sustainability strategy.
- Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd.coreStrategic alliance covering access to education, training, employment and towing services in Canada.
- ENAP (Empresa Nacional del Petróleo)flagshipService agreement to make Chile the first country in Latin America with an electric maritime tugboat. The vessel will operate at Puerto Chacabuco in Aysén region, providing emission-free berthing and unberthing services.
- Robert Allan Ltd. (RAL)flagshipCanadian naval architecture firm that designs SAAM's electric tugs (ElectRA 2300SX) and other vessels. Close collaboration essential for electric tug optimization.
- Corvus EnergycoreBattery technology provider for electric tugs. Part of collaboration for ElectRA 2300SX electric tugboats.
- Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV)coreScientific and technological collaboration agreement for alternative fuels, energy efficiency, emissions reduction, digitalization, and process automation research.
- Universidad Andrés Bello (UNAB)coreSAAM Towage-UNAB Academy launched to train tugboat officers. Program covers 15 subjects over 450 teaching hours, professionalizing captain and engineer functions. 16 new officers trained annually.
- Uzmar ShipyardminorBuilt SAAM Acaxual and SAAM Centzunat tugs for Energía del Pacífico LNG terminal in El Salvador.
- Transport and Offshore Services (TOS)minorDutch company that provided voyage delivery of tugs from Turkey to Ecuador.
- Coast Tsimshian Enterprises Ltd.coreHistoric agreement for access to education, training, employment and towing services in British Columbia, Canada.
- SANMAR ShipyardsflagshipLong-standing shipbuilding partnership since 2018. SANMAR has built 15+ tugboats for SAAM including latest SAAM Carancho and SAAM Kanan. Partnership based on shared standards of safety, efficiency and sustainability.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SAAM Towage competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Svitzer: Global towage operator owned by Maersk, one of the largest tug operators worldwide with extensive Americas presence. Directly comparable as a harbor towage specialist serving ports and shipping companies with similar vessel assist and escort services.
- Boluda Towage: Major global towage operator with strong presence in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Directly comparable as a multi-region harbor towage provider competing for port contracts in similar geographies.
- KOTUG International: International towage operator based in the Netherlands with operations across multiple continents. Directly comparable as a harbor and terminal towage provider serving oil & gas terminals and port operators.
- Fairplay Towage: European towage company with operations in Germany, Spain, and other markets. Comparable as a port towage specialist offering vessel assist, escort, and emergency response services.
- Bukser og Berging: Norwegian towage and salvage company providing harbor towage, offshore, and emergency services. Comparable as a multi-service maritime operator with similar capability matrix.
- Smit Lamnalco: Joint venture between Royal Boskalis Westminster and Lamnalco, providing terminal towage and offshore services globally. Highly comparable as a port towage specialist with strong oil & gas terminal focus.
- Vroon: Dutch shipping company with offshore and towage operations. Comparable as a maritime services provider with vessel assist and offshore support capabilities.
Broad incumbents
- Tidewater Inc. Largest owner of offshore support vessels globally, with overlapping offshore services for oil & gas platforms. Comparable for offshore platform positioning and oil & gas terminal towage business.
Regional players
- Wilson Sons: Brazilian port and maritime services operator with towage operations. Comparable as a direct competitor in the Brazilian market where SAAM has its largest single-country footprint.
- Grupo CBO: Brazilian offshore support vessel operator serving oil & gas industry. Comparable for offshore services and oil & gas terminal support in the Brazilian market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SAAM Towage social profiles
Digital presenceSAAM Towage compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance8 records
SAAM Towage financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SAAM Towage leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
SAAM Towage subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries11 records
SAAM Towage funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SAAM Towage M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SAAM Towage
What does SAAM Towage do?
SAAM Towage provides contracted maritime towage and vessel support services through a fleet of 200+ tugboats operating at 90+ ports in 13 countries across the Americas. Core services include harbour towage (berthing, unberthing, and vessel escort), terminal towage for oil & gas tankers, 24/7 emergency assistance (firefighting, salvage, environmental containment, crew evacuation), offshore platform positioning and anchoring, and special services such as ocean towing, barge assistance, and infrastructure support. The fleet includes 100% electric zero-emission ElectRA 2300SX tugs and hybrid propulsion vessels.
Is SAAM Towage a public or private company?
SAAM Towage is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was SAAM Towage founded?
SAAM Towage was founded in 1961. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is SAAM Towage based?
SAAM Towage is headquartered in Valparaiso, Chile, in the Latin America region.
How does SAAM Towage make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Harbour Towage Services are the primary driver. The others are terminal Towage - Oil & Gas, emergency Assistance Services, offshore Services and special Services.
Who are SAAM Towage's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Svitzer, Boluda Towage, KOTUG International, Fairplay Towage, Bukser og Berging, Smit Lamnalco and Vroon. Tidewater Inc. is listed as a broad incumbent. Regional players are Wilson Sons and Grupo CBO.
Does SAAM Towage have an API?
No public API is recorded for SAAM Towage.
What industry is SAAM Towage in?
SAAM Towage's product category is Maritime Towage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAHAHAA, Harbor Towage (Ship Assist & Berthing/Unberthing), with a secondary code of TLAHAHAD, Ship Docking/Undocking & Drydock Towage. Its NAICS code is 4883 and its SIC code is 1389.