Wilson Sons received approval by the Brazilian National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) to conduct the first tests on using HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in the Brazilian maritime sector, with Efen and Port of Açu as partners.
As announced, Efen will import HVO to be tested on Wilson Sons’ tugs in the Port of Açu, in São João da Barra (Rio de Janeiro). The liquid handling operation will be conducted at the Açu Liquid Bulk Terminal (TLA) in Brazil.
After the testing period, it is expected to expand the distribution of HVO to Platform Supply Vessels (PSVs) and other offshore support vessels in the Port of Açu, encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the oil & gas supply chain.
…said Rafael Pinheiro, CEO, Efen.
Furthermore, Marcio Castro, Executive Director, Wilson Sons Towage division, pointed out that in the company’s decarbonization agenda does not only include building more efficient tugboats but also decreasing the environmental impact of its fleet.
“In this context, HVO emerges as a promising solution, as it is a drop-in fuel that does not require any adaptations to our equipment, representing an important choice for the port support industry” Marcio Castro highlighted.
Vast and Wilson Sons have also recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to test the use of biofuels on Wilson Sons’ tug operating at T-Oil in the Port of Açu.