73.5-Ton Tugboat Joins Brazil’s Fleet—Why It Matters for Global Shipping

Wilson Sons has expanded its fleet with the launch of WS Ariel, a high-powered tugboat designed to enhance port operations along Brazil’s coastline. The vessel was officially baptised on August 20 at Pier Mauá in Rio de Janeiro, marking the third addition to the company’s new ASD 2312-class series this year.

The tugboat, built at Wilson Sons’ shipyard in Guarujá, São Paulo, measures 23 metres in length and 12 metres in width. Equipped with azimuthal propulsion, it delivers 73.5 tons of bollard pull, enabling it to assist some of the largest vessels navigating Brazilian ports, including New Panamax ships. Its advanced design also improves fuel efficiency and reduces emissions compared to similar models, supporting the company’s sustainability goals.

Beyond standard docking and undocking operations, WS Ariel features a FiFi 1 firefighting system capable of discharging 2.4 million litres of water per hour, making it versatile for emergency responses. The addition brings Wilson Sons’ fleet to 83 tugboats, reinforcing its capacity to handle growing port traffic.

Modernisation and Strategic Growth: brazil tugboat fleet

Márcio Castro, Towage Executive Director at Wilson Sons, highlighted the significance of the new tugboats in a statement. “This new cycle of tugboats underpins our commitment to safer, more efficient, and more sustainable operations,” he said. “They are prepared to serve increasingly larger ships and support the efficiency of the logistics chain and the development of Brazil’s port sector.”

Adalberto Souza, CEO of Wilson Sons Shipyard, emphasised the technical advantages of the ASD 2312 class. “Higher manoeuvrability allows the tugboats to operate closer to the bow and stern of ships,” he noted, a critical feature for handling modern megaships. The launch of WS Ariel also marks the 156th vessel constructed by the company’s shipyard, which has been operational for over 80 years.

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