SAAM Towage cuts Panama emissions under national carbon program

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

SAAM Towage has received a Level 3 Carbon Footprint Reduction award from Panama’s Ministry of the Environment after recording measurable emissions reductions from its towing operations in the country during 2024 and 2025.

The recognition forms part of Panama’s national Reduce Your Corporate Carbon Footprint program, which encourages private sector companies to measure, reduce and offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Level 3 of the program requires participating companies to measure their emissions and identify specific measures to mitigate them. The ministry said SAAM Towage demonstrated effective reductions across its Panama operations during the two year assessment period.

For tug operators, reducing emissions presents a particular operational challenge because vessels must remain available for ship assistance while meeting demanding power and response requirements.

Matia de Luiggi, Central America Cluster Manager for SAAM Towage, said the recognition reflected the company’s approach to managing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining its operational activities.

“This recognition highlights our commitment to responsibly managing greenhouse gas emissions and to developing increasingly sustainable operations,” de Luiggi said.

The Reduce Your Corporate Carbon Footprint program is led by Panama’s Ministry of the Environment with support from international organizations including the United Nations Development Programme and the Inter American Development Bank.

The initiative is designed to bring companies into Panama’s broader carbon reduction effort by establishing a framework for measuring emissions, implementing reduction measures and eventually offsetting remaining emissions.

De Luiggi said SAAM Towage was proud to participate in Panama’s initiative alongside other companies as the program reaches new milestones each year.