Investments in start-ups, newbuilds pays off for Brazilian owner

Wilson Sons has seen considerable benefits from its investment in start-ups and high-power tug newbuildings in Brazil, leading to greater efficiency in the nation’s ports.

It has maintained its position as a leader in port, maritime logistics and innovations in Brazil and has reduced emissions, particularly pollutants such as NOx. 
Its investments in start-up companies have led to digital product developments, sea-traffic integration, oceanographic and weather data and it has opened an innovation hub.

“Our innovation agenda is built on three fundamental pillars: collaborating with start-ups to develop new digital businesses, using technology for greater operational efficiency and sustainability, and exploring how new solutions can reduce our environmental impact,” says Wilson Sons director of digital transformation, Eduardo Valença.

“We see technology as an essential ally to boost these pillars, not only to improve the company’s financial and operational results, but also to support the development of Brazil’s maritime and port infrastructure.”

Wilson Sons’ investment in Argonáutica led to ReDraft’s development, which is a dynamic draught system which supports large container ships entering the Salvador container terminal in northeast Brazil.

Argonáutica also developed Artemis, “a solution we use for real-time monitoring of the company’s fleet of 81 tugboats” says Mr Valença.

This integrates sea-traffic data from more than 25 automatic identification system antennas spread across the Brazilian coast and metoceanographic data, such as wind, current and tide, “enabling greater operational efficiency in the management and positioning of our vessels,” he adds.

Wilson Sons founded the first innovation hub dedicated to the maritime and port sector in Latin America, Cubo Maritime, supported by Cubo Itaú, Port of Açu and Hidrovias do Brasil. It currently hosts 24 start-up companies and fosters industry innovation and collaboration.

Investments in Salvador and Rio Grande container terminals in dock and gate automation projects has improved operational efficiency, with Rio Grande being the most automated terminal in Brazil.

In July, Wilson Sons introduced artificial intelligence and optical character recognition technology to terminal operations in Rio Grande to support automatic identification and to log containers and terminal tractors. This eliminates the need for manual data entry and improves data accuracy and productivity through real-time data processing.

To manage tug operations, Wilson Sons uses its Santos-based operations centre (COR) to monitor speed, manoeuvring time and unnecessary movements of its 81 tugs in 25 ports along the Brazilian coast. Mr Valença says this enables the company “to guarantee operational excellence and safety”.

As part of the decarbonisation agenda, Wilson Sons is finalising delivery of the sixth tug it is building at its shipyard to Damen’s reverse stern drive (RSD) hull design. Earlier in Q3 2024, it welcomed the fifth newbuild to RSD 2513 design, WS Dorado, to support ship manoeuvres at the Ponta da Madeira, Itaqui and Alumar terminal facilities in São Luís.

Each of these 25-m newbuilds has a bollard pull of 90 tonnes, making them some of the most powerful harbour tugs in Brazil, and propulsion compliant with IMO Tier III emissions standards. They can operate forward and aft with the same efficiency for port manoeuvres and deepsea towage.

Selective catalytic reduction units are installed to remove 70% of NOx emissions, while the RSD hull design reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by 14% compared with conventional tugs.

“WS Dorado is particularly notable due to its impressive bollard pull of over 90 tonnes and energy efficiency,” says Wilson Sons’ towage division’s executive director, Márcio Castro.

“These tugboats, the most powerful currently operating in Brazil, are aligned with the high standards required in the operations of our clients’ ships.” 

As Wilson Sons introduced these newbuildings, it transferred older tugs to other Brazilian ports in a cascade effect that benefits multiple locations. “The strategy of allocating and relocating tugs optimises our resources, maximises the impacts, and ensures that all ports under our operation are able to run with maximum efficiency and safety,” says Mr Castro. “All Brazilian ports where we operate are positively impacted by this.” 

The sixth newbuild is due to enter service before the end of 2024, and the company has indicated it will build more at its shipyards.