Wilson Sons, Ferroport, and Vast form strategic partnership for Be8’s pioneering biofuel test on a tugboat at Porto do Açu

With the goal of decarbonizing company operations, Wilson Sons initiated a pioneering biofuel test on tugboats this Friday (17th) at Ferroport’s iron ore shipping terminal in Porto do Açu, located in São João da Barra, northern Rio de Janeiro. The refueling utilized Be8 BeVant®, developed and patented by Be8, on the tugboat WS Rosalvo, with an expected reduction of up to 99% in carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions compared to marine diesel.

Produced at the Be8 plant in Passo Fundo (RS) from soybean oil, animal fat, and used cooking oil (UCO), Be8 BeVant is a “drop-in” biodiesel—meaning it is used directly in the vessel’s engine without the need for structural modifications.

“The tests with the new biofuel reinforce the importance of strategic partnerships, reaffirming Wilson Sons’ commitment to decarbonization. We are always in search of new technologies that contribute to the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of the port sector,” states Márcio Castro, Executive Director of Tugboats at Wilson Sons.

During the testing phase, performance, durability, and emission analyses will be conducted using the WS Rosalvo’s telemetry to prepare a concluding project report, which will be submitted for international certification. Edenilson Sanches, Sustainability Manager at Ferroport, highlights: “This project has the potential to reduce indirect emissions for the port as a whole, also contributing to the reduction of Anglo American’s indirect emissions by decreasing Wilson Sons’ direct emissions. It represents a joint effort by the entire port community to implement operations that are more energy-efficient and have lower carbon intensity.”

“We are honored to be part of this project that positions Be8 BeVant® as a mature, safe, and extremely efficient solution for immediate emission reduction. We are talking about a biofuel developed and produced in Brazil that delivers technical performance similar to conventional fuel while generating a transformative environmental impact without transition investment costs for equipment,” said Erasmo Carlos Battistella, President of Be8.

Last year, Wilson Sons and Vast also conducted the first tests using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in the Brazilian maritime sector. HVO, known as renewable diesel or green diesel, was used in Wilson Sons’ tugboats operating at Porto do Açu as a substitute for marine diesel. The fuel handling operation took place at Vast’s Açu Liquid Terminal (TLA).

“The TLA is a strategic platform to meet current and future demands for liquid storage and handling. The use of biofuels in the tugboats serving T-Oil operations reinforces our commitment to offering the most sustainable alternative in the oil transshipment market,” emphasizes Eduardo Goulart, Commercial Director at Vast. The initiative is part of Vast’s Decarbonization Path, which aims to encourage the use of biofuels in the maritime sector and promote increasingly sustainable operations at the company’s terminals.

Source: Guia Marítimo