Tug Network Team interviewed Felipe Gouvêa, Executive Director of the alliance, about the next phase and the role he now plays in shaping it. With a long track record in the maritime industry, including his years as CEO of Sulnorte in Brazil, Felipe knows the towage market from multiple angles.
He was involved in the early conversations around Tug Network Team, then stepped away from Sulnorte and the towage business for a period. Now, after returning to the sector, he is helping guide TNT’s development with a focus on service standards, governance, commercial alignment and long-term growth.
You were there in the early stages of Tug Network Team, but not throughout the entire journey. How do you look at that today?
I was involved in the first conversations and in the creation of the alliance. Around that same period, I left Sulnorte for personal reasons and took time to prepare for a new professional chapter. I studied, became a certified board member and advised on other maritime projects. So, I was not with the company during the last phase of TNT’s development. Coming back now gives me a fresh perspective. I can see how the alliance has evolved, how it has grown stronger, and what it needs to enter the next stage.
What made the Tug Network Team concept so compelling from the start?
When I first spoke with Jean-Philippe Brunet of Group Ocean during the 2022 ITS conference in Istanbul, our conversation focused on how we could cooperate more closely. We already had some experience working together with CPT Towage, so the foundation was there. What made this different, however, was the idea of building something bigger. Not just a light cooperation, but an alliance with real potential to strengthen independent towage operators in a changing market.
Why does the market need an alliance like Tug Network Team?
Because consolidation is changing the landscape. The large players have scale, fleet size and purchasing power. Independent operators need another way to remain competitive while keeping their identity. Tug Network Team creates that possibility. It gives customers access to broader coverage and reliable service, while preserving the local expertise, flexibility and neutrality that independent operators bring.
Why is independence such an important part of the TNT story?
Independence is essential. One of the things we look at very carefully is neutrality. Members should not be tied to shipowners or larger shipping interests. That matters in the market. Customers want confidence that their tug partner is focused on service and operations, not influenced by other interests. That is one of the key strengths of the alliance, and it is one of the reasons why this model has value.
As Executive Director, what is your main focus now?
The next phase is all about execution. The idea is there. The market interest is there. Now we need to strengthen the alliance operationally and commercially. That means building stronger service standards, improving commercial coordination and making sure we can offer the same reliability customers expect from the largest players. If we want to grow in the right way, everything has to be well designed.
What does that look like in practice?
It starts with commercial capacity consolidation. We need the right tools to work together more effectively and to support joint commercial proposals. At the same time, governance becomes more important as the alliance grows. If TNT is going to create real value for its members, it needs a stronger structure around it. We are also looking at clear KPIs, a shared mission and the foundations for TNT to operate more as a business in its own right.
How do you decide where and how to grow?
We look at commodity corridors. We study the ports we already serve, where cargo is coming from, where it is going, and which operators are active in those regions. That helps us identify the right geographies. But growth is never only about geography. It is also about fit. We are strict in how we assess potential members.
What makes a company the right fit for Tug Network Team?
First of all, independence and neutrality. Beyond that, there has to be alignment in values, service mindset and reputation. A member should strengthen the alliance, not weaken it. They should also believe in the purpose behind TNT: creating a serious alternative in the market while remaining independent. We are not interested in growth for the sake of growth. We want to build the right network.
What is the bigger ambition from here?
The ambition is to build a serious international platform for independent towage companies. That starts with coverage and service reliability, but it can go further than that. Over time, there may also be opportunities in benchmarking, sourcing, insurance, P&I and even tug building. The major groups benefit from scale in many ways. If independent operators work together properly, they can build more strength too.
Felipe Gouvêa was part of Tug Network Team’s early thinking, then stepped away as the alliance continued to evolve. Now, as Executive Director, he returns at a decisive moment. The concept has been proven. The next task is to build the structure, standards and cooperation needed to turn TNT into a serious international alternative for independent towage.
For questions about Tug Network Team, or to learn more about the alliance, please contact Felipe Gouvêa. He can also tell you more about potential membership.
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