Decarbonization and modernization are strategic goals for Wilson Sons

Wilson Sons has been directing its investments toward decarbonization and operational modernization initiatives, with a focus on tugboat fleet renewal and equipment electrification at its terminals. The company, which provides integrated logistics for Brazilian foreign trade, operates the largest tugboat fleet in the country (80 vessels), as well as a shipyard in the Port of Santos and container terminals in Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul.

Among the main projects is the construction of a new generation of tugboats. According to Operations Director Gustavo Machado, the company has an order to build 17 vessels, the first of which was delivered in January of this year, with the other 16 expected to be incorporated by the first half of 2030.

Machado explains that the new tugboats feature technological advancements focused on energy efficiency, such as hull design improvements that can reduce emissions. “Combined with the hull lines and the keel, we achieved a reduction of up to 14% in fuel consumption and, consequently, a 14% reduction in carbon emissions,” he said. Another significant front is the use of shore power to supply vessels while docked, eliminating the need to keep engines and generators running. “Today, shore power is available for more than 70 tugboats in our fleet. It is a significant portion,” he highlighted. At the container terminals, the strategy involves electrifying equipment, such as yard tractors and forklifts, with ongoing projects at the Salvador (BA) and Rio Grande (RS) units. “We are electrifying at both Tecon Salvador and Rio Grande. At Tecon Salvador, this initiative is slightly more advanced,” he stated. The company presented these initiatives during Intermodal South America 2026, considered the country’s leading logistics fair, held between Tuesday (14th) and Thursday (16th) at Distrito Anhembi in São Paulo. The event brings together companies, clients, and partners from across the logistics and foreign trade chain.

“It is very important for a company like the Wilson Sons Group, with 188 years of operation here in Brazil, to be present at this event. We have many relevant and important clients present at the fair, as well as many business partners,” said Machado. In the Port of Santos, the country’s main port complex, the company’s performance is considered strategic, especially due to its towing services, which are essential for maneuver safety. “The role of tugboats is fundamental to ensuring the safe docking and undocking of ships,” the director noted.

Source: A Tribuna