The Urucum tugboat, one of 51 vessels commissioned at Brazilian shipyards by Vale, began operating in Porto de Vila do Conde, in Barcarena, Pará, in september. A total of R$403.9 million has been invested in the ships.
One of the most advanced and efficient tugboats in Brazil, the Urucum cost over R$9.5 million to build. The boat, which was built at Santa Cruz shipyard in Aracaju, Sergipe, will raise the port’s productivity, as well as ensuring safety and competitiveness at its expands its port and maritime transport operations.
Tugboats, barge convoys and catamarans
The 51 vessels commissioned by Vale consist of 15 tugboats (four of them, including the Urucum, are already operating), two barge convoys (32 barges and two pusher tugs) and two catamarans to transport passengers.
The two barge convoys are being built at Rio-Maguari shipyard in Belém, Pará, while the two catamarans are under construction at Arpoador shipyard in Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro. These orders have contributed to the development of the Brazilian shipbuilding industry and created 2,465 direct and indirect jobs.