Sustainable Advancement in Port Logistics: One Year of WS Centaurus

A Year Of Success For The WS Centaurus, The Innovative Tugboat From Wilson Sons That Transforms Port Logistics In Brazil

Wilson Sons, a dominant figure in Brazilian port and maritime logistics, celebrates a significant milestone: a year of successful operations for the WS Centaurus, the pioneer in green technology in the country. The tugboat has already assisted in over 500 maneuvers at the terminals of Ponta da Madeira, Itaqui, and Alumar in São Luís (MA), servicing large vessels that carry up to 400,000 tons of cargo.

Green Innovation At Sea

At the Ponta da Madeira terminal, the WS Centaurus supports ships carrying iron ore. Meanwhile, at the Itaqui port, the vessel engages in the operations of ships loading diesel, corn, soybeans, fertilizers, and pulp.

As the first of a series of six new vessels with an ecological perspective, the WS Centaurus was built at the company’s shipyard in Guarujá (SP), within the Santos port complex. Its design, courtesy of Damen Shipyards (RSD 2513), features superior hydrodynamics that reduce fossil fuel consumption by up to 14%, thus decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, its twin fins optimize navigability and enhance towing capacity, ensuring even lower fuel consumption.

Setting New Standards

The WS Centaurus was also the first to adopt the IMO Tier III standard from the International Maritime Organization in Brazil, promoting a reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions by over 75%. “The WS Centaurus is a milestone in tug operations in the country, bringing more efficiency and sustainability to our fleet of 11 tugs in São Luís,” says Márcio Castro, Executive Director of the Tugboat Division at Wilson Sons.

With over 90 tons of bollard pull, Wilson Sons’ new tugboats are the most powerful in operation in Brazil. The vessel can operate both in port maneuvers and ocean towing with the same efficiency.

Sailing Into The Green Future

Wilson Sons is at the forefront by controlling the speed of its vessels to minimize fuel consumption. With the help of its Tugboat Operations Center (COR) in Santos (SP), the company monitors its fleet of 81 tugboats in real-time along the Brazilian coast.

“We believe that technology is an essential ally for maritime and port infrastructure and for sustainability in the sector,” emphasizes Monica Jaén, Sustainability Director. And it is precisely this vision that drives the company to constantly seek operational improvements and gains in energy efficiency in its industry.

For Mateus Melo, Regional Manager North of Wilson Sons, the WS Centaurus and the WS Orion demonstrate the importance of the company’s operations in the North of the country. “Wilson Sons is the company with the highest availability of tugboats and with the greatest coverage in the ports of the Northern Arc,” says Mateus, highlighting the company’s lasting commitment to efficiency, safety, and sustainability.