Brazil: Wilson Sons Inaugurates Second Shipyard in Guarujá

The Wilson Sons Group inaugurated the second Wilson Sons Shipyards unit in Guarujá (SP, Brazil) on April 18th. As a result of a US$ 60 million investment, the shipyard, which builds tugboats and offshore support vessels, is expected to double its capacity.

The shipyard, which has been named Guarujá II, is equipped with a dry dock which is 26 meters in wide and 135 meters in length. These dimensions will allow for the construction of a wide range of larger vessels with higher specifications, amongst which are PSVS (oil platform supply), AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply), PLSVS (Pipelaying and Submarine Cable Supply Vessels), ROVSV (Remotely Operated Vehicle Supply Vessels) and ORSV (Oil Recovery Supply Vessel).

“Our production capacity at Guarujá II will be 5,500 tons/year. This means that the installations can undertake the annual production of approximately four offshore support vessels and up to six tugboats, as well as a sophisticated vessel for third parties,” said Arnaldo Calbucci, COO of Shipyards, Tugboats, Offshore and Agency.

The first vessel to be built at Guarujá II, a PSV 4,500 series, is due to be delivered to Wilson Sons Ultratug Offshore in June. The company is also building a Remotely Operated Vehicle Support Vessel (ROVSV), ordered by Fugro Brasil, and delivery is expected to take place by mid-2014.

“In total, we will have built four PSVs and four tugboats before the end of 2013. Over US$ 200 million are being invested in these new vessels” says Calbucci.

As well as the new shipbuilding capacity to meet the needs of the naval and offshore market, the new dry dock will allow for vessel repairs and dry docking. “There are over 400 offshore vessels and 200 tugboats in Brazil. Maintenance and docking services are currently undergoing a growth cycle. We will be in a position to attend our own fleet and that of others,” explains Wilson Sons Shipyards’ executive director, Adalberto Souza.

Employment – Guarujá II will provide employment for almost 300 civil construction workers from the city of Guarujá and surrounding areas. The new shipyard currently has 180 employees; however, the workforce is expected to grow to 600 at peak capacity. As for Guarujá I, which is located close to the second unit, it currently provides employment for 670 people.

Since 2004, Wilson Sons Shipyards has produced 41 vessels, 28 of which were tugboats and 14 PSVs.