Wärtsilä to Supply Fuel-Flexible Engines for Two Biodiesel-Powered Pusher Tugs in Brazil

Key facts

• Wärtsilä selected to supply main engines for two new pusher tugs for AMAGGI
• Vessels under construction at Beconal shipyard in Manaus, Brazil
• Engines designed to operate on diesel or biodiesel
• Order booked in Q4 2025; deliveries scheduled from August 2026

Overview
Technology group Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply main propulsion engines for two new pusher tugs being built for Brazilian logistics operator AMAGGI. The vessels are currently under construction at the Beconal shipyard in Manaus and are intended for operation on Brazil’s inland waterways, with a design focus on lower-emission operations.

A key factor in the engine selection was the ability to operate on biodiesel, supporting AMAGGI’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from river transport. The order was booked in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Engine configuration and performance
Each vessel will be equipped with two Wärtsilä 20 engines, delivering a combined power output of 2,100 kW per ship. The engines are fuel-flexible and can operate on either conventional diesel or biodiesel. They will also be fitted with Wärtsilä’s Data Collection Unit (WDCU) for engine monitoring and performance analysis.

The propulsion setup will enable each pusher tug to handle up to 20 barges, transporting approximately 32,000 tonnes of grain along the Amazon inland waterway system. Wärtsilä is scheduled to begin delivering the equipment to the shipyard from August 2026.

Operator and supplier perspectives
“The fuel flexibility of the Wärtsilä engines will enable these two new pusher vessels to operate using environmentally sustainable biofuels,” said Claudinei Zenatti, Logistics and Operations Director at AMAGGI. “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.”

“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,” said Genil Mazza, Newbuilding Sales Manager, LatAm – Wärtsilä Marine.

Fleet context
AMAGGI operates a river fleet comprising 212 barges and pusher vessels. Wärtsilä and AMAGGI have worked together for more than three decades on propulsion solutions for inland waterway transport in Brazil, with a focus on operational efficiency and emissions reduction.