Uruguay Roundup: Suárez quits national team, green hydrogen auction, first IMO Tier III tugboat
Luis Suárez quits national team
Luis Suárez announced his retirement from international football this week, making his final appearance for Uruguay in Friday's Conmebol 2026 World Cup qualifier against Paraguay in Montevideo. The 37-year-old, who captained the Celestes, played for 85 minutes but couldn't secure a victory, as the match ended in a goalless draw. Despite this, Uruguay remains in a strong position, sitting second in the standings with 14 points from seven games, trailing only leaders Argentina, with 11 matches still to play, Soccer reports.
First IMO Tier III tugboat
Boluda Towage has launched Uruguay's first IMO Tier III tugboat, the VB Tero, which arrived in Montevideo in July. This azimuth stern drive tug features advanced pollution-reduction technology to minimize emissions of NOx, SOx, and particulate matter, complying with international standards. Built by Damen Shipyards, Riviera reports the VB Tero boasts a bollard pull of 82 tonnes and is equipped with Caterpillar engines and a selective catalytic reduction unit. The introduction of this eco-friendly tug reflects Boluda Towage's commitment to environmental sustainability in the operations at the main port of Montevideo.
Uruguay hosts UN Tourism’s first thematic office
On September 9, 2024, the United Nations inaugurated its first thematic tourism office for Latin America and the Caribbean in Montevideo, Uruguay. The office, known as the Observatory, will address legal issues in the tourism sector and serve as a platform for collaboration among public, private, and academic sectors to improve regulatory frameworks. According to TTW, key attendees at the launch included Uruguayan President Luis Lacalle Pou and UN officials. It is a joint initiative with the Inter-American Development Bank, featuring a digital tool called “TurismoLex” to provide a comprehensive database of tourism legislation. The Observatory, set to begin operations in early 2025, aims to enhance tourism regulations, support sustainable development, and harmonise legal frameworks across the region. Uruguay was selected to host the office with unanimous support from regional members.
First offshore green hydrogen auction
Uruguay is poised to launch its first offshore green hydrogen auction, signalling progress in the clean hydrogen sector. The initiative aims to provide clarity on clean hydrogen and enhance business insights for executives and leaders in the industry, focusing on delivering balanced news and analysis that transcends the hype surrounding hydrogen, as reported by Hydrogeninsight.
Daylight saving time aligns Santiago de Chile with Argentina and Uruguay
Chile switched to daylight saving time last Saturday, aligning the Santiago Metropolitan Region with Uruguay and Argentina. On Easter Island and other Pacific territories, the time change occurred at 10 pm on Sept. 7. The Magallanes Region and Antarctic Territory remained at UTC-3. For time zone details, visit the Navy's Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) website or horaoficial.cl.
