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TideWise Brings Autonomous Naval Technology to Europe and Projects Growth in the Maritime Industry.
The Brazilian startup TideWise, specialized in technological solutions for the naval industry, is expanding its operations to the European market. Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro and with a revenue of R$ 15 million in 2024, the company is in full expansion and is already preparing an operations base in Belgium, from where it intends to serve countries like England and others in Northern Europe. The expectation is for growth in the team as well, which will increase from 40 to 60 employees by the end of the year.
USV Tupan: A New Era for Maritime Operations
Founded in 2019 by Rafael Coelho and Sylvain Joyeux, TideWise developed the USV Tupan, the first autonomous and uncrewed vessel registered by the Brazilian Navy.
The technology promises to revolutionize maritime operations with more efficiency, safety, and lower environmental impact, opening new possibilities for the global naval industry.
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With a length of 108 meters and a giant spoon shape, the FLIP was the only ship in the world capable of rotating 90 degrees in the ocean and remaining vertical, with 91 meters submerged, operating for 60 years until it was retired and sent to the scrapyard in 2023.
With only 5 meters in length, the USV Tupan is capable of executing activities at sea with precision and autonomy.
The main advantage is that it replaces conventional vessels in repetitive tasks, such as bathymetric surveying—mapping the relief of the sea floor.
This type of work, essential for safe navigation, can now be carried out remotely, without exposing professionals to risks.
TideWise CEO Rafael Coelho highlights the gains: operation time is reduced by up to 55%, and environmental impact decreases by 98% compared to traditional methods.
While conventional ships consume up to 8 tons of fuel per day, the Tupan uses only 100 liters. “It’s like replacing a helicopter with a drone to take an aerial photo,” he exemplifies.
Safety and Sustainability at the Core of Innovation
One of TideWise’s pillars is to offer safer solutions for offshore environments, often marked by risks to human life.
The Tupan, being uncrewed, eliminates the need to send divers on dangerous underwater inspection missions, such as checking pipelines and electrical cables.
These inspections are carried out with a robot attached to the vessel, capable of descending up to 300 meters deep.
The technology aligns with the plans of companies like Petrobras, which aims to eliminate the so-called “shallow diving,” one of the types of operations with the highest accident rates.
Versatility for Different Sectors of the Naval Industry
In addition to mapping the sea floor, the Tupan provides various services for the naval industry, such as transporting small loads between oil platforms, environmental monitoring, and port surveillance.
The vessel can detect cetaceans in seismic testing areas to avoid impacts on sensitive species, such as whales, and identify threats like pirates or drug traffickers in ports.
Another advanced service is the collection of underwater data at depths of up to 2,000 meters, with automatic sending to cloud servers.
All of this is monitored remotely by operators on land, significantly reducing operational costs.
International Expansion and Investment Round Ahead
After carrying out a project in Belgium, TideWise is preparing for its definitive entry into the European continent, starting with the north.
The aim is to serve offshore energy, port infrastructure, and oil companies in the region with more agility and efficiency.
TideWise’s growth has also attracted investors. In 2023, the startup received an investment of R$ 10 million in a series A round led by the MSW Capital fund, which includes names like Embraer, BB Seguros, Baterias Moura, and AgeRio.
The startup was featured on the “100 Startups to Watch” list, a recognition that, according to Coelho, was crucial in consolidating its image in front of major players in the naval industry.
“The market saw us as a risky bet. Being on this list helped change that perception and attract more trust,” he says.
With solutions that combine high technology, sustainability, and safety, TideWise is establishing itself as one of the leading Brazilian prospects in the maritime innovation landscape—now ready to conquer the world.
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