Wilson Sons has a record for ship-to-ship LNG operations in the Towage division
- 02/12/2021
- 5 minutes
Between January and October, there were more than 15 ship-to-ship operations
in regasification terminals for the transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the
highest number ever recorded by the Company
With the increase in the activity of thermoelectric plants in 2021, Wilson Sons registered in
the last 10 months a record of ship-to-ship operations (STS). The Company’s towage unit
operated in more than 15 operations to transfer liquefied natural gas (LNG) from gas tankers
to Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRU): most of which took place at Celse’s terminal
in Barra dos Coqueiros (SE), followed by the GNA’s terminal at Açu Port (RJ).
Only in October, there were six STS operations, one of which with a Q-FLEX vessel,
considered one of the largest in the world with a capacity of 215,000 m³ of gas: a record for
the sector. By the end of this year, five more operations are planned in Sergipe. “The year of
2022 also promises good results for the port support market in the LNG sector. Three new
terminals should go into operation, such as the one in Barcarena, the Gas Sul in Santa
Catarina and the third in Suape”, highlights Elísio Dourado, commercial director of the unit.
Today, five LNG terminals, which use FSRUs, are in operation in Brazil. There are three from
Petrobras, one from Celse and one from GNA. Wilson Sons operates at the Petrobras unit in
Pecém (CE), in addition to Celse and GNA terminals. “The outlook remains positive in the
medium term, with the possibility of new operators entering the market for gas to wire
projects, when the thermoelectric plant is installed close to the natural gas producing field,
and small scale (LNG on a small scale)”, evaluates Dourado.
The Company is prepared to meet the increased demand. With 80 tugs, it has the largest
and most powerful fleet on the Brazilian coast – 93% of the tugs have azimuthal propulsion
(ASD) and four are escort tugs – and, this year, the construction of a series of six other
high-powered vessels has begun in the Wilson Sons shipyard in Guarujá (SP). “The new units
will have IMO TIER III standard, with a reduction of more than 75% of the emissions of
nitrogen oxides, which is considered a greenhouse gas”, says the director.
LNG STS operations are highly complex and require a high level of safety, especially when
carried out in open sea, where navigation circumstances demand great attention. “Safety is,
without a doubt, one of the main pillars of the Wilson Sons Group. In addition to the
experience of our professionals, we have a robust structure that, together, are differentials
for our clients in this sector, as we work with them from the planning of the project and each
operation which allows us to guarantee the success of the job, even with a high level of
complexity”, explains Dourado.
An important ally in this regard is the Towage Operations Center (COR). The unit monitors
vessels 24 hours a day, in real time, through the AIS antenna network and uses technologies
such as artificial intelligence to develop maneuvering strategies. The Towage division also
has a Maritime Improvement Center, comprising its own maneuver simulator, capable of
forecasting different operational scenarios. The equipment is used to systematically train the
company’s staff of maritime professionals, managers and support teams, in addition to being
used by customers and partners for the preparation and testing of large-scale projects and
operations.
About Wilson Sons
Wilson Sons is the largest integrated port and maritime logistics operator in the Brazilian
market and offers supply chain solutions, with over 180 years of experience. The Company
provides a complete range of services to companies operating in the oil and gas industry, in
international trade and in the domestic economy. With national presence, it acts in an
innovative way, following market trends.