This week, the Panama Canal Authority marked an important step towards modernizing its operations with the announcement of a new tugboat, the Isla Barro Colorado. The tug is the first in an initial fleet of ten to be built by the Spanish shipbuilder, Astilleros Armón Vigo, S.A. The commission also offers the option for ten additional tugboats and reaffirms the Authority’s commitment to operating more efficiently, safely, and sustainably at the canal.
The Isla Barro Colorado, measuring 28.90 meters from bow to stern, and 14 meters at the beam, combines cutting-edge technology and innovative design, making her a key asset for executing the complex maneuvers performed daily at the canal. The tug’s hybrid propulsion system, equipped with 445 kW batteries, not only augments energy performance, but also significantly cuts emissions, which helps the Panama Canal meet its environmental sustainability goals.
With a fixed-point traction of 80 tons and engines of 2,331 kW each, the Isla Barro Colorado offers the necessary capacity and maneuverability for the canal’s operations. In addition, it is equipped with a FIFI1 firefighting system which features an unattended engine and offers a top level of habitability and ergonomics which ensure that the crew will enjoy optimal conditions.
The shipbuilding company, Astilleros Armón, built the new tugboat, which will be incorporated into canal operations by mid-2025 and will contribute to the Authority’s environmental sustainability vision for the interoceanic route, thanks to the design’s limited fuel consumption and emission reduction ability. Between 2011 and 2015, Astilleros Armón also built 14 tugboats which were integrated into the Panama Canal’s floating fleet at that time.
