Wilson Sons participates in an unprecedented operation with a gas super tanker to supply thermoelectric power in Sergipe

Wilson Sons, through its Tugboats unit, participated in the first ship-to-ship offshore operation for the transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) through a ULGC (Ultra Large Gas Carrier) gas vessel of the Q-FLEX type in Brazil. The ship is considered one of the largest gas tankers in the world with a capacity of 215,000 m³.

This unprecedented operation took place at Celse’s terminal, in Barra dos Coqueiros (SE), and aimed to supply the Porto de Sergipe Thermoelectric Power Plant (UTE), operated by the company. The UTE was activated in July by the National Electric System Operator (ONS), and Celse has in its planning two more operations until September, also with ships of the Q-FLEX type. At this first moment, the thermoelectric plant is being activated by the ONS for continuous and uninterrupted dispatch for four months, but there is the possibility that, by the end of the year, there will be a total of eight more operations for supply.

Four Wilson Sons tugboats supported the maneuvers of the gas tanker to transfer LNG to the Natural Gas Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). Elísio Dourado, commercial director of the Company’s Tugboat division, explains that two ship-to-ship transfer operations were necessary to complete the fuel transfer process.

“The gas tanker initially unloaded about 2/3 of the cargo in a first operation. Afterwards, it waited at anchor while the FSRU transferred the gas to the thermoelectric plant”, says Elísio. “After that time, a new maneuver was carried out to unload the rest of the load,” he adds. In all, the tugs performed 4 maneuvers.

“Ship-to-ship operations with large vessels are complex and require a high level of safety. Therefore, we need to rely on partners that we have complete trust and that guarantee the quality that we value so much. The choice for Wilson Sons is an example of this.”, highlights Lucas Buranelli, LNG terminal operations manager at Celse.

With a fleet of 80 tugboats, the largest in Brazil, Wilson Sons is present in 25 locations, covering almost the entire Brazilian coast. The Company also has the Tugboat Operations Center (COR), which monitors vessels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in 25 ports on the Brazilian coast, in addition to the Maritime Improvement Center (CAM) where periodic training is provided. from crews and campaigns for specific projects of customers and other interested parties, through Wilson Sons’ own maneuver simulator, which is capable of offering different operational scenarios.