Wilson Sons unveil new sustainable tugboat WS Castor for operation

Wilson Sons, the largest port and maritime logistics operator in the Brazilian market, launched the WS Castor, a new tugboat with more sustainable technology and engine power, on September 16.

This vessel is the fourth in a series of six being built by the company at its shipyards in Guarujá, São Paulo. The WS Castor will operate in the port complex of Santos, the largest in Latin America, and possesses the necessary capabilities to support the berthing and unberthing of the new generation of container ships measuring 366 meters scheduled to operate in this port.

Three vessels have already been delivered (WS Centaurus, WS Orion, and WS Rosalvo) since July 2022, and the other two will be christened by 2024, all financed by BNDES with resources from the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM). The four new tugboats already delivered are the first in Brazil to meet the IMO TIER III standard of the International Maritime Organization, certifying a reduction of up to 70% in nitrogen oxide emissions. This standard is only required in emission control areas, such as regions in North America and Europe. Additionally, the Damen Shipyards hull design (RSD 2513) contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with an estimated reduction of up to 14% in fossil fuel consumption compared to tugboats of similar static traction.

Their twin fins improve maneuverability and increase the towing capacity during operations, ensuring lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. With a bollard pull of over 90 tons (the traction exerted on the towing cable), these new tugboats are Brazil’s most potent operation. They have a length of 25 meters and a beam (width) of 13 meters, as well as a Fi-Fi 1 fire-fighting certification with a flow rate of 2,400 m³ of water per hour. Moreover, they operate equally efficiently in forward and reverse, making them suitable for port maneuvers and ocean towing.

The WS Castor, equipped with cutting-edge technology, strengthens our fleet of over 80 vessels present in more than 40% of ship maneuvers in Brazil. In doing so, we generate a positive impact on society and industries worldwide, enabling international trade to occur safely, sustainably, and with operational efficiency. “Currently, the other three new tugboats operate in high-traffic ports and meet the demand for larger vessels. Since they began operations, they have completed more than 1,500 maneuvers, with outstanding performance in the ports where they operate,” said Rodrigo Bastos, Operations Director of Wilson Sons’ Tugboat Division.

The WS Centaurus and WS Orion cover the port complex of São Luís (MA), supporting berthing and unberthing operations at terminals in Ponta da Madeira, Itaqui, and Alumar, serving large vessels used for exports carrying up to 400,000 tons of cargo. In Ponta da Madeira, they support ships with iron ore cargo. In the Itaqui port, they are involved in operations for vessels carrying various cargoes, such as diesel, corn, soybeans, fertilizers, and pulp.

The WS Rosalvo operates in the Porto do Açu, in São João da Barra, in the northern state of Rio de Janeiro, supporting the mining sector and the offshore energy industry.

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