Svitzer Cassino to boost operations at the Port of Pecém

Rio de Janeiro, 25 February 2026

With more than 70 tonnes of bollard pull and state-of-the-art technology, the tugboat Svitzer Cassino will now be integrated into operations at the Port of Pecém, in Brazil. The vessel is part of Svitzer’s expansion strategy in Brazil and increases the capacity to serve large vessels, raising the standard of efficiency and safety in port manoeuvres in the region.

A global leader in towage services and maritime solutions, Svitzer is advancing the modernization of its fleet in the country with the delivery of the second of three tugboats ordered from the Rio Maguari Shipyard. This move reinforces the company’s sustainable growth plan and its strategic presence in the Northeast.

“Serving increasingly larger ships requires technology, precision, and highly trained teams. The arrival of the Svitzer Cassino reinforces our long-term commitment to Brazil and demonstrates our confidence in the growth of the port sector, ensuring the precision and safety that the market demands,” says Daniel Reedtz Cohen, Managing Director for Svitzer Americas.

Designed to offer high maneuverability and efficiency in port operations and terminal support, the Svitzer Cassino is an RAmparts 2300 design tugboat, recognized for its high manoeuvrability and performance. With a length of 23 meters (LOA), a beam of 11 meters, and azimuthal propulsion, the vessel operates under the Brazilian flag, has ABS classification, and is equipped with a FiFi-1 fire suppression system.

In addition to increasing operational robustness at the Port of Pecém — one of the main logistics hubs in the Northeast of Brazil and a strategic gateway for the region’s foreign trade — the incorporation of the new tugboat also reinforces the appreciation of the national shipbuilding industry. Built by the Rio Maguari Shipyard in Pará, the project contributes to job creation, technological development, and strengthening the Brazilian maritime production chain.

With the incorporation of the Svitzer Cassino, the company now has 24 tugboats in operation in the country. The new vessel is part of the strategic plan to expand the modern fleet in Brazil by the end of 2026, reinforcing the company’s commitment to strengthening and sustainably growing Brazilian ports.

Importance of the Port of Pecém

Located in the Port of Pecém, in Ceará, the complex stands out as one of the most important logistics hubs in the Northeast. Its strategic location shortens maritime routes to Europe and North America, increasing the competitiveness of Brazilian foreign trade. With modern infrastructure and direct connection to the region’s industrial park, Pecém stimulates exports, attracts new investments, and plays a key role in regional economic development, demanding high standards of efficiency and operational safety.

In this context, Svitzer has been operating in the port since June 2021, contributing to the safety and efficiency of port maneuvers. The company’s continued presence reinforces the international standard of services provided in the complex and accompanies the evolution of Pecém as a strategic hub for Brazilian foreign trade.