SAAM’s New Tug Christened

The first Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) in Canada was inaugurated and SAAM's new tug, the Tsmishian Warrior, was christened.

The tug will provide services at the terminal, which is owned by the Canadian company Altagas —leader in energy infrastructure in North America— and the dutch firm Vopak.

“SAAM closed a contract with RIPET, which included construction of this new tug. Two other tugs from our Canadian fleet will be deployed to support operations at the terminal. This long-term agreement is a milestone for our company and we are making the best technology available to support gas exports, especially to Asia,” commented SAAM’s CEO, Macario Valdés, who traveled to Canada to take part in the ceremony.

He was joined by the Managing Director of SAAM’s Towage Division, Felipe Rioja, who pointed out the tug’s features.

“This is the first tug with IMO Tier III emissions certification, making it one of the most ecological in the world, since it meets requirements to operate in emission control areas. This is the largest, most versatile and highest capacity tug along the entire west coast of Canada and will enable us to support sustainable development in British Columbia and Alberta,” he added.

Designed by Canadian firm Robert Allan Ltd., the Tsimshian Warrior’s engines meet International Maritime Organization standards for nitrogen and sulfur oxide emissions.

The vessel also has gas detection monitoring systems, explosion-proof deck equipment and an off-ship FiFi1 fire-fighting system. It has “escort” class classification, which allows it to perform berthing and deberthing maneuvers for LNG carriers as well as emergency towage under highly demanding conditions. Its two Cat 3516E 2525 bkW engines with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems enable it to meet environmental certification requirements.

With Rolls Royce US255 CP azimuth thrusters, the tug boasts 83.5 tons of fixed-point bollard pull, which provides indirect pull capacity of up to 120 tons at a speed of 10 knots.

This equipment and capacity enables the SST Tsimshian Warrior to safely perform vessel handling functions, including berthing, deberthing and escorting under any weather conditions.

The RIPET project will make an important contribution to Canadian foreign trade and to the sustainable development of the communities of British Columbia and Alberta. It is estimated that the new terminal will export up to 1.2 million tons of propane each year and 20 to 30 cargoes of gas per year to the market.