Tug Network Team (TNT) appointed Felipe Gouvêa as Chief Executive Officer. The alliance, launched in the Americas in 2024 and recently expanded to Europe, begins a new phase focused on greater commercial coordination, governance, and service standards across its international network.
Gouvêa brings extensive maritime experience to the role. He was previously CEO of the Brazilian tug operator Sulnorte and has held senior management positions in shipping, chartering, port operations, and maritime strategy.
He also participated in the initial conception of Tug Network Team before temporarily stepping away from Sulnorte and the tug sector. He now returns at a time when the alliance is moving from the conceptual to the operational phase.
Currently, TNT connects tug operators in the Americas and Europe, covering 113 ports in 13 countries with a combined fleet of over 200 tugs. His appointment reflects the alliance’s ambition to become a more structured and coordinated international platform for clients seeking a reliable alternative in a consolidating tug market.
Jean-Philippe Brunet, President of Tug Network Team and Executive Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Alliances at Group Ocean, stated that “Felipe brings the perfect combination of experience and perspective that we need at this stage. He knows the tug sector from the inside, understands the pressures and opportunities generated by consolidation, and shares our conviction that the market benefits from collaboration among strong operators. His appointment will help us strengthen the alliance and continue building a reliable international platform for both members and clients.”
As CEO, Gouvêa will focus on strengthening TNT’s commercial effectiveness, refining service standards, supporting future expansion, and ensuring that new members meet clear criteria regarding neutrality, service orientation, reputation, and strategic alignment.
Gouvêa himself indicated that “Tug Network Team was founded with the clear idea that independent operators can achieve more together, while retaining the strengths that make them valuable in their respective markets. The market response demonstrates the great interest this model generates. The next step is to transform this momentum into better execution, with proper governance, clear standards, and greater coordination among members. That is how we generate long-term value for clients and for the alliance.”
Brunet added that “the appointment of a CEO represents a major milestone for Tug Network Team. It demonstrates that we are investing in the alliance, in the quality of cooperation among members, and in the long-term value we want to create across all regions.”
Gouvêa and representatives of the alliance’s member companies will be present at the 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards (ITS 2026), to be held in Gothenburg, Sweden, from May 19 to 21, 2026. The alliance will meet with clients, partners, and other key industry players to further strengthen its international platform.
