Wilson Sons inaugurated new facilities at its Training Center, now located in the Edificio Palazzo, in São Paulo, with an upgraded tugboat maneuvering simulator, which will train the company’s captains and maritime workers in safety procedures and cutting-edge technology for its fleet of more than 80 tugs, which operates in more than 25 ports along the Brazilian coast, supporting national and international trade, as well as the offshore energy industry.
Training with simulators improves safety and operational efficiency and supports the analysis and development of maneuvers for large vessels (up to 366 meters), which reduces operational restrictions in Brazilian ports.
Another special feature of this technology is scenario analysis, where different environments are simulated and solutions are tested and developed for the different port challenges faced by Brazil, with customized simulations for each port.
“The technology behind the new maneuvering simulator supports our innovation strategy. It is a tool that increases the safety and efficiency of our operations, driving the growth of the Brazilian port industry and the competitiveness of the global logistics chain,” stated Rodrigo Bastos, Tug Operations director of Wilson Sons.
The maneuvering simulator will also be able to be used, in the new location, by clients and other parties interested in the project’s analysis and testing activities. Wilson Sons’ Tug Operations Center (COR) had been installed in the same location and, in 2011, began monitoring the company’s tugboat fleet in real time.
Through a network of antennas distributed along the Brazilian coast, which pick up AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals emitted by tugs and vessels, the COR is responsible for assigning tugs to maneuver client vessels through continuous monitoring of the fleet, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Continuous monitoring guarantees the maximum efficiency of our assets and adds an important layer of safety to maneuvers. Furthermore, by assigning the most suitable tug to meet client demands, at the right time and speed, operations become more sustainable with lower emissions,” explained Pedro Lima, Fleet and Operations manager of Wilson Sons.
In 2023, in collaboration with the startup Argonáutica, Wilson Sons implemented a new operating system, Artemis, in its Tug Operations Center (COR). An advantage of the new format is the integration of vessel information collected by AIS antennas, external data sources, and meteoceanographic data, such as port weather conditions, tides, currents, and wind. All of this can be consulted from anywhere.
With this, the COR develops operational strategies that increase operational safety and reduce fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Since April 2024, more than 150 company captains have received training to improve operational safety. This is the WS Safe Standard Maneuver project, which presents its fundamentals and aligns maneuvering practices according to Wilson Sons’ quality standards.
The topics covered include electronic navigation, the use of equipment such as radars and GPS, and real-life cases of maneuvers to prevent improper behavior and unsafe conditions, avoiding incidents and accidents.
During the company’s admission training and evaluation process, workers conduct emergency drills for cable breakage, extreme sea and wind conditions, and low visibility. Furthermore, the company provides continuous training to professionals pursuing the captain’s degree, which includes decision-making, use of navigation equipment, maritime and port legislation, documentation, levels of responsibility, and the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
The latest safety figures, published by Wilson Sons Group in August in its second quarter 2025 earnings report, demonstrate the company’s priority on safety. In the 12 months ended June 30, the lost-time injury frequency rate was 0.47 incidents per million hours worked, consistently outperforming the global benchmark index of 0.50.
