Finland-headed technology group Wärtsilä Oyj has announced that it will supply the main engines for two new pusher tugs being built for Brazilian operator AMAGGI. The ships are under construction at the Beconal shipyard, located in Manaus, Brazil, and are designed with a focus on decarbonised operations.
AMAGGI operates a river fleet comprising 212 barges and pusher vessels. Wärtsilä and AMAGGI share a longstanding partnership, having collaborated for over 30 years to advance sustainable and efficient river transport solutions in Brazil.
The two new pusher tugs will operate on biodiesel, a capability that was a key factor in securing this contract, the value of which has not been disclosed.
The fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines will enable these two new pusher vessels to operate using environmentally sustainable biofuels. By using biodiesel, these engines are expected to lower total greenhouse gas emissions, supporting both our company’s environmental commitments and the broader goal of delivering more sustainable river transport, said Claudinei Zenatti, Logistics and Operations Director, AMAGGI.
First to pilot biodiesel across operations
AMAGGI operates a biodiesel plant in Lucas do Rio Verde, Mato Grosso (MT), where it also operates a grain crushing facility. In 2024, AMAGGI received the country’s first authorization for B100 testing on a river vessel.
The company operates the first farm in Brazil to use B100 in 100 percent of its agricultural machinery. Additionally, it has invested in its truck fleet, acquiring 100 vehicles fully ready to run on B100.
The ships will each operate with two Wärtsilä 20 engines, equipped with a Wärtsilä Data Collection Unit (WDCU). The engines are able to run on either diesel or biodiesel fuel with a total power output of 2,100kW.
This will allow each ship to push as many as 20 barges, carrying a total of 32,000 tonnes of grain on the Amazon inland waterway system. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in August 2026.
AMAGGI is the first pusher tug operator to run entirely on biodiesel – a step aligned with our shared commitment to decarbonised shipping. The Wärtsilä Data Collection Unit (WDCU) will enable accurate monitoring of the engines, which promotes performance reliability and the benefit of extended overhaul intervals, explained Genil Mazza, Newbuilding Sales Manager, LatAm – Wärtsilä Marine.
