Brazilian expansion for Svitzer Towage

It is barely eight months since Svitzer Group was listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange following its demerger from Danish shipping conglomerate AP Møller – Mærsk, the news providing further evidence that the company’s global expansion plans prior to the demerger is set to continue.

This follows the news, just two months after the announcement of the demerger, of Svitzer’s joint investment with Atlantic Towing, a member of the JD Irving family of companies, to provide two new RAL RAstar 3200 escort tugs in the port of Halifax.

Svitzer’s commitment to the Brazilian market has involved an investment of more than R$650 million (€100 million), including this move into Port of Itaqui, described by Svitzer as one of Brazil’s largest port complexes and a critical logistical hub for Central-North and Central Brazil corridors.

Commencement of operations in Maranhão is Svitzer’s ninth port entry in as many years, strengthening its presence in Brazil with activities also at Pecém and Fortaleza (Mucuripe); Suape; Salvador and Aratu; Vitória; Santos; Paranaguá and Antonina; São Francisco do Sul and Itapoá; and Rio Grande.

Powerful additions

The tugs selected for the role are Svitzer Denise and Svitzer Joaquim R, built in 2017 and 2018 as Alianca Minuano and Alianca Tramontano respectively by Detroit Brasil – Itajai for Alianca Navegacao (group owner Rudolf A Oetker A/S & Co KG).

The pair became part of the Svitzer family in 2019 and are ASD configured vessels 32m in length, breadth 11.6m and powered by MTU main engines developing 4,480kW (6,092hp) in total driving azimuthing thrusters. Svitzer says the bollard pulls are 72 and 76 tonnes, again respectively.

Svitzer Brazil currently operates a fleet of 22 tugs including three additional Robert Allan-designed ASDs under construction at the Rio Maguari shipyard in Belém, Pará and speaking at the time of that contract signing, Arjen van Dijk, managing director for Svitzer Americas, emphasised the investment’s strategic importance.

“Svitzer’s new build program in Brazil is a testament to our continuous commitment to meet the evolving needs of our customers in this important market,” he said. “These tugboats are designed to handle the increasing complexity and volume of Brazil’s maritime operations and will enhance our operational capacity across various Brazilian ports.”

Daniel Cohen, president of Svitzer Brazil, said: “Our entry into yet another port underscores our long-term commitment to the Brazilian market. Itaqui is the largest public port in northern and north-eastern Brazil and ranks as the fourth largest public port nationwide. It is a strategic hub for regional production and exports, including iron ore and soybeans.

“As Brazil’s economy continues to flourish, we remain highly dedicated to continue strengthening our position in the country, investing in our people and modern, highly efficient equipment.”