AWARDS 2024 | Best Medium Harbour Tug – SN Cariri – Sulnorte Servicos Maritimos
This powerful but compact harbour tug will operate for its experienced owner at the Madre de Deus terminal in the Salvador port complex. It is a very highly refined, yet practical vessel in terms of both design and construction and offers a useful illustration of how far tugs have come over the last four decades.
Mechanically, of course, it is equipped with the latest and best available and its coatings and finishes will ensure that its maintenance will be especially economical.
"The essence of SN Cariri lies in its perfect combination of modern design, high performance, and strength," owner Sulnorte Servicos Maritimos told Baird Maritime. "It holds a special significance for us as it represents the beginning of our newbuilding projects and highlights the advancements we have made in the tug market in Brazil over the past 47 years."
Sulnorte said the main challenges in the tug's commissioning process involved integrating advanced technology and ensuring compliance with strict safety and performance standards.
"To achieve seamless functionality across all modern systems, meticulous planning and testing are essential. This underscores the importance of comprehensive pre-commissioning trials, which should include detailed planning, rigorous testing, and ongoing crew training."
Sulnorte remarked that new regulations are being implemented to significantly enhance maritime safety, and that the evolving regional geopolitical landscape is directly affecting navigation security and engendering unpredictable fluctuations in commodity prices.
The company believes this dynamic interplay is crucial for understanding the complexities of global vessels’ operations today.
"The value of Brazil's maritime trade reached around US$492.5 billion last year, and we played a significant role in this growth," Sulnorte remarked. "Our wide and diversified customer portfolio includes various shipowners across different markets, enabling us to capitalise on market movements."
Sulnorte said such markets included those related to agribusiness, such as those involved in soybean exports, where the company achieved impressive figures last year, and ship-to-ship operations, in which it has developed a "pioneering expertise".
"Despite the geopolitical conflicts occurring around the world, we remain very optimistic for this year," Sulnorte told Baird Maritime. "This optimism is not only based on market forecasts but also on the upcoming delivery of two new tugs that we will launch this year."
Sulnorte said that, over the past five years, it has observed a new trend in the tug industry.
"An extraordinary wave of investment is driving the launch of vessels equipped with advanced and smart propulsion systems. These groundbreaking projects aim not only to meet environmental regulations, but also to embrace cleaner energy solutions.
"With their striking designs, these newbuilds are not just efficient, they also represent the advent of a more sustainable and innovative maritime future."
As for Brazil's own tug industry, Sulnorte believes that several trends are poised to reshape the future of the industry. These include commitment to providing sustainable shipping solutions and addressing IMO requirements and global demand to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"The adoption of alternative fuels for vessels, including tug, is progressing in Brazil, albeit at a slower pace."
Sulnorte said that there is also a noticeable surge in investments in port infrastructure, which has led to an increasing demand for powerful and versatile tugs designed to address the challenges posed by larger vessels.
"Simultaneously, there is an increasing pursuit of automation, digitalisation, and other new technologies in tug operations," the company told Baird Maritime. "Innovations like remote monitoring systems and advanced navigation aids are enhancing safety and operational efficiency."
For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.
