The History of Wilson Sons

Over more than 185 years, Wilson Sons has built a trajectory marked by pioneering, transformation, and contribution to Brazil’s economic and social growth. From a small coal trading company in Salvador (BA) to its prominent position as one of Latin America’s most traditional operators in maritime, port, and logistics services, our history reflects resilience, innovation, and a forward-thinking vision.

At each stage of this journey, we have faced challenges and constantly sought ways to evolve, maintaining our commitment to safety, operational excellence, and sustainability. Today, more than ever, we look back on our journey with pride, aware that our legacy has been built by the dedication of thousands of people who believed in our purpose to transform realities.

Shall we embark on a journey through time together? Continue reading and discover more about our history, our contribution to Brazil, and our purpose.

How It All Started

Wilson Sons’ story begins in 1837 when the young Englishman Edward Pellew Wilson arrived in Salvador, driven by the ambition to seize the opportunities that Imperial Brazil offered. Together with his brother Fleetwood, he founded Wilson, Sons & Company, initially focused on coal trading and navigation services.

At that time, coal was the primary source of energy for steam engines driving global trade. Edward quickly realized the potential of meeting the growing demand for this strategic input, connecting Brazil to international markets and playing a key role in the country’s logistics. With this vision, Wilson Sons took its first steps, establishing itself as a reliable partner in maritime trade.

Soon, the company expanded its operations, opening branches in Recife, Rio de Janeiro, and even London. This movement was essential in connecting Brazil to external markets and integrating the national economy with global dynamics.

“The ability to identify opportunities and act with agility has always been part of Wilson Sons’ DNA.”
Fernando Salek
CEO, Wilson Sons

Pioneering and Commitment to Development

In the 1860s, Wilson Sons was already recognized as a cutting-edge company. In 1867, we marked one of the first major milestones in our history: the inauguration of the Dique do Comércio on the Island of Mocanguê, in Niterói (RJ). This revolutionary infrastructure, designed for ship maintenance, symbolized our dedication to modernizing the Brazilian maritime sector. The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Royal Family, reinforcing our relevance at the time.

As the decades passed, we went beyond coal trading. From 1878, with the unification of brands under the name Wilson Sons & Co. Limited, we consolidated our operations and expanded into new segments. We diversified our activities, becoming a trading company for products like cotton, linen, silk, and sugar, and invested in railway infrastructure, helping to connect strategic regions of Brazil.

Between 1879 and 1881, for example, we participated in the construction of important railways, such as the Recife-Limoeiro and Conde d’Eu Railway in Paraíba. These projects were crucial in integrating regional markets and strengthening the economy of northeastern Brazil.

Another milestone was the agency of the Kasato Maru in 1908, the first ship to bring Japanese immigrants to Brazil. This historic moment highlighted our ability to connect cultures and support the social and economic development of the country.

“Being at the forefront of great historical moments reinforces our commitment to safety and our responsibility to deliver operational excellence in everything we do.”
Arnaldo Calbucci
COO, Wilson Sons

Overcoming Transformations in the 20th Century

The 20th century was marked by the expansion and modernization of the tugboat fleet. In 1911, the company expanded its tugboat fleet and other vessels, also opening new branches across Brazil.
In the 1920s, we once again demonstrated our excellence by performing repairs on the Quest ship, owned by Ernest Shackleton, during his Antarctic expedition. This achievement highlighted our technical competence and solidified our reputation as an international reference in maritime services.

The 1950s marked the beginning of a new era for Wilson Sons. In 1954, Walter Salomon, a visionary English banker, acquired control of the company. Under his leadership, we restructured our operations and focused on tugging, navigation, and offshore support services.

In the 1960s and 1970s, we accompanied Brazil’s “economic miracle” and expanded our operations, investing in the construction of tugboats and modernizing our infrastructure. In 1973, we acquired the Estaleiro Guarujá, allowing us to significantly increase our shipbuilding and maintenance capacity. One of the most iconic moments of this phase was our involvement in the construction of the Rio-Niterói Bridge, where we conducted complex logistical operations to transport the metal structures of the central span.

With the wave of privatizations in the 1990s, we took over the management of two strategic terminals: Tecon Rio Grande in 1997 and Tecon Salvador in 1999. These terminals became benchmarks for efficiency and innovation, essential for increasing the competitiveness of Brazilian foreign trade.

From the 2000s onwards, we adopted an even more proactive stance regarding innovation and sustainability. In 2009, we became signatories of the UN Global Compact, committing to areas such as the environment, human rights, and ethical governance. We also invested in startups developing technological solutions for the maritime sector, promoting greater efficiency and safety in our operations.

“We are committed to leading the digital transformation in the maritime sector and promoting sustainable practices at all levels of our operation.”
Fernando Salek
CEO, Wilson Sons

In recent years, we have led the digital transformation in the maritime sector, incorporating advanced technologies that make our operations safer, more agile, and more efficient. An example of this is our leadership in the largest maritime and port innovation hub in Latin America, Cubo Maritime & Port.

Our Legacy and Purpose

Looking back at Wilson Sons’ history is understanding how a company can grow and evolve without losing sight of its purpose. Each milestone, each achievement, and each challenge overcome reflects our commitment to Brazil’s development and our continuous pursuit of excellence.

As we continue navigating through seas of innovation and sustainability, what drives us is the certainty that we are building an increasingly secure, connected, responsible, and integrated future for all.

“Our history is, above all, a celebration of human potential, the ability to reinvent ourselves, and the positive impact we can generate every day. From the very beginning, our purpose has been clear: together we transform realities.”
Aléa Fiszpan
HR and Communications Director

Liked this article and want to learn more about our history? Visit our Memory Center now and explore our complete historical archive.