Brazil's Camorim invests R$180 million in four azimuth stern drive tugs, delivery in 2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brazilian company Camorim has announced a new fleet expansion cycle, partnering with Estaleiro Detroit to build four next-generation azimuth stern drive tugs, with a project investment exceeding R$180 million, aimed at expanding the company's operational capacity to meet the growing demand in Brazil's maritime industry.

Camorim Vice President Eduardo Adami stated that this investment comes at a time when Brazil's shipbuilding industry is recovering and demand for high-performance vessels is rising, driven jointly by port business expansion and investments in logistics infrastructure. "Fleet renewal and upgrades will become a competitive advantage in maritime operations."

As a continuation of the 2025 delivery/launch projects, Camorim is advancing the construction of tugs equipped with high-maneuverability propulsion systems, with a bollard pull of 70 tons. Bollard pull is an international indicator for measuring a tug's towing capacity and one of the most critical performance parameters in port towage operations. The first new vessel will be named "C-Águia," following the company's tradition of naming vessels after large birds. In addition to high power, the new tugs are equipped with fire-fighting systems (FiFi) for extinguishing fires on vessels, terminals, and port facilities, enhancing service safety levels.

The technical specifications for each tug are: overall length of 24.35 meters, molded breadth of 11 meters, molded depth of 4.6 meters, maximum operating draft of 5.42 meters, bollard pull of 70 tons, and power provided by two 2,000 kW engines.

According to the plan, the first tug will be delivered in June 2027, with the remaining vessels delivered at four-month intervals. Together, the two series of vessels will add nine vessels to the fleet within two years, placing Camorim among the companies investing the most in domestic fleet renewal. Adami stated that fleet renewal is part of the company's long-term strategy to prepare Camorim for the evolution of the Brazilian maritime market; the company is investing in technology, safety, and operational efficiency to meet the growing demand for specialized services and provide customers with more robust solutions.

Beyond tugs, Camorim announced at Intermodal South America 2026 that it will build a Super Cábrea super crane vessel for large-scale offshore operations. With an investment of R$52 million and a lifting capacity of 750 tons, this equipment will become one of the largest of its kind in Latin America, expanding the company's operations in offshore infrastructure, oil and gas, and offshore projects. Construction of the vessel has already begun, with operations expected to commence in March 2027.

These investments continue the company's strategy of advancing fleet modernization and diversification, enabling the enterprise to expand into different sectors of the maritime economy and provide integrated solutions for increasingly complex operations. Vessel construction will also drive the industrial chain of Brazil's shipbuilding industry, attract local suppliers, and create specialized jobs throughout the manufacturing process.