São Paulo, 5 May 2026 – Tug Network Team (TNT) has appointed Felipe Gouvêa as Executive Director. The alliance, launched in the Americas in 2024 and recently expanded into Europe, is entering a new phase focused on stronger commercial coordination, governance and service standards across its international network.
Gouvêa brings deep maritime experience to the role. He previously served as CEO of Brazilian towage operator Sulnorte and has held senior positions across shipping, chartering, port operations and maritime strategy. He was also involved in the early thinking behind Tug Network Team before stepping away from Sulnorte and the towage sector for a period. He now returns at a point when the alliance is moving from concept to execution.
Today, TNT connects towage operators across the Americas and Europe, covering 113 ports in 13 countries with a combined fleet of over 200 tugs. His appointment signals the alliance’s ambition to become a more structured and coordinated international platform for customers seeking a credible alternative in a consolidating towage market.
Jean-Philippe Brunet, Chairman of Tug Network Team and Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Partnerships at Group Ocean, said: “Felipe brings exactly the combination of experience and perspective we need at this stage. He understands the towage business from the inside, knows the pressures and opportunities created by consolidation, and shares our belief that the market benefits from strong operators working together. His appointment will help us strengthen the alliance and continue building a credible international platform for members and customers alike.”
As Executive Director, Gouvêa will focus on strengthening TNT’s commercial effectiveness, sharpening service standards, supporting future expansion and helping ensure that new members meet clear criteria around neutrality, service mindset, reputation and strategic fit.
Felipe Gouvêa, Executive Director of Tug Network Team, said: “Tug Network Team was built on a clear idea: independent operators can achieve more together while retaining the strengths that make them valuable in their own markets. The response from the market shows there is real interest in that model. The next step is to turn that momentum into stronger execution, with the right governance, clear standards and closer coordination between members. That is how we build long-term value for customers and for the alliance.”
Mr. Brunet added: “Appointing an Executive Director is an important milestone for Tug Network Team. It shows that we are investing in the alliance itself, in the quality of cooperation between members and in the long-term value we want to create across regions.”
Gouvêa and representatives of the alliance’s member companies will be present at the 28th International Tug & Salvage Convention, Exhibition & Awards (ITS 2026) in Gothenburg, Sweden, on 19-21 May 2026. The alliance will meet customers, partners and other industry stakeholders as it continues to strengthen its international platform.
About Tug Network Team
Tug Network Team (TNT) is a neutral alliance of independent towage operators serving customers across the Americas and Europe, including Canada, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Poland, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Together, its four members offer shipowners and operators broader access to towage services across multiple regions while retaining the local expertise, flexibility and operational independence of regional providers.
