About us
Ocean Data Specialists
TideWise was founded in Brazil in 2019 and has since grown its team to serve the demands of the maritime and offshore industries. Collectively, our team possesses deep expertise in naval robotics (USVs), technology development, operations, and data intelligence.
Our Mission
Accelerate the transition toward a safer and more sustainable maritime industry through uncrewed robotic systems. We develop uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) and cutting-edge technologies that transform offshore and port operations into agile, intelligent processes. We operate with a total focus on zero human risk and decarbonization, leading innovation in ocean protection.
Environment
Real Decarbonization: Up to 98% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the maritime sector through our hybrid-electric USVs.
Energy Efficiency: Innovative methods that deliver operational cost savings and significant reductions in fossil fuel consumption.
Ocean Protection: Active projects focused on environmental monitoring, offshore wind energy, and rapid oil spill response.
Social
We bring together top-tier professionals in a multicultural environment bridging Brazil and Europe. Our social focus lies in talent development and fostering a culture dedicated to protecting lives and minimizing human risk at sea.
Governance
Operational and administrative procedures strictly aligned with industry standards and NORMAM-205 directives. Collaborative engagement with the Brazilian Navy and international regulatory authorities. Proven safe and reliable systems combined with active participation in ocean conservation.
Constantly expanding
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With operational bases in...
Rio de Janeiro, BR (Headquarters)
The heart of our deep-tech engineering and industrial manufacturing. Houses our Remote Operations Center (ROC), the TideWise manufacturing facility for serial production of our autonomous fleet, and our corporate team.
Joinville (Santa Catarina), BR (Branch Office)
Our strategic hub located in the heart of one of Brazil’s most active naval clusters, dedicated to operational expansion and supporting the port sector.
Flanders, BE (International Subsidiary)
Our European operational base. Strategically structured to drive the energy transition and meet the strong demand for unmanned inspection across the continent.
Founders
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Rafael Coelho
CEO
Naval engineer with a Master's degree from COPPE/UFRJ and over 15 years of international experience in maritime robotics. Led the registration of the country's first USV and was awarded the "Amigo da Marinha" medal in 2021.
Sylvain Joyeux
CTO
Robotics scientist and software engineer with a Ph.D. from France and over 15 years of international experience. Led pioneering projects at DFKI (Germany) and SENAI CIMATEC, and currently oversees all intelligence and software engineering at TideWise.
Awards and recognitions
Winner of the 2020 ANP award, the ARIEL Project (TideWise, Repsol, COPPE/UFRJ) innovated by being the first in the world to integrate USV and drone to monitor oil at sea. Click here to learn more.
Winner of the ANP Technological Innovation Award 2020
In partnership with Repsol Sinopec Brasil, the USIS project integrated an ROV onto the Tupan USV for autonomous underwater inspection, becoming a finalist for the 2023 ANP Innovation Award.
Finalists for the ANP Innovation Award 2023
with the USIS project
We were featured on the cover of the August/September issue of Uncrewed Systems Technology, one of the world's leading publications in the field of unmanned robotic systems. The cover story can be viewed on the magazine's website by clicking here , or as a PDF in the following link.
Cover of the specialized magazine
"Uncrewed Systems Technology"
The Tupan USV was recognized as one of the most relevant products in promoting a better world at the Design for a Better World 2023 awards. To access the ebook with the award winners, click here . The Tupan USV is featured on page 49.
Award winners
Design for a Better World 2023
The specialist magazine Marine Technology Reporter released its annual ranking of the leading companies in the sector, and we were recognized as one of the top 100 global companies in the maritime technology segment! To access the edition, click here .
One of the top 100 global companies in the maritime technology segment, according to Maritime Technology Reporter.
In 2022, CEO Rafael Coelho received the Friend of the Navy Medal (referring to 2021) for his valuable contributions, such as the development of the 1st Regulation for the Operation of Autonomous Vessels.
Navy Friend Medal 2021
We won the annual pitch competition for robotics companies, competing against some of the leading companies in the field nationally. DroneShow is the largest drone and robotics trade show in Latin America and is held annually in São Paulo / SP.
Winners of the DroneShow 2023 pitch competition
The USV Tupan made history as the first unmanned vessel formally registered and legalized by the Brazilian Navy. The Rio de Janeiro Port Authority issued the TIE (Terminal Identification and Importation) after a rigorous technical inspection.
Registration and Approval of the Tupan USV by the Brazilian Navy
At Rio Oil & Gas, TideWise stood out at the Repsol Sinopec Brasil booth. Its unmanned technologies attracted the market due to their potential for decarbonization and OPEX reductions of up to 85%.
Media Highlight - Rio Oil & Gas 2022 Article in "Petróleo Hoje" Magazine
TideWise was a national finalist for KPMG's global award, which recognizes rapidly growing deep tech startups. The nomination endorsed its technology and impact on global maritime decarbonization.
Finalist in the Brazilian stage of the 2023 Global Tech Innovator Award by KPMG.
TideWise won the Açu Lab (Port of Açu) innovation award, which validated the viability of its Smart Data and USV Tupan solutions in bringing automation and sustainability to port operations.
Cais Açu Lab Award 2024
In 2021, TideWise won the European Elia Group's Open Innovation Challenge, beating out 80 other proposals. The innovation adapted the ARIEL system (USV+UAV) to inspect offshore wind farms. Click here to learn more.
Winner of the international Elia Group Open Innovation Challenge 2021 Award
We have completed a Series A investment round worth R$10 million, led by MSW CAPITAL, a multi-corporate Venture Capital fund that brings together major companies such as Embraer, BB Seguros, Baterias Moura, and AgeRio.
We have completed the Series A investment round worth R$ 10 million.
TideWise's technological capabilities were the subject of an article in the specialized magazine "Marine Technology Reporter," which listed the company among others in the offshore asset inspection sector using unmanned vessels and associated integrations. See the full magazine by clicking here.
Article topic in the magazine
"Marine Technology Reporter"
Selected for the TOP 8 in the CleanTech category in the 100 Open Startups Ranking.
Recognized in the Clean Techs category
in the 100 Open Startups 2023 ranking
We were featured in the Technology category of the annual ranking by Pequenas Empresas & Grandes Negócios magazine, which recognizes the most promising technology-based companies in Brazil. To learn more, access the link .
Highlight in the ranking
100 Startups to Watch 2023
Launched in August 2020, the USV Tupan won the Silver Medal at the Brazil Design Award. The vessel stood out in the design award, competing with giants such as Fiat and Renault.
Silver medal in
Brazil Design Award 2020
In October 2023, we participated in Blue Rio, an open innovation program for the blue economy promoted by the State of Rio de Janeiro in partnership with major companies in the sector.
We were one of the startups selected to participate in BlueRio.
TideWise, in partnership with Petrobras, conducted the first validated demonstration of an autonomous vessel at sea in Brazil. The operation validated the WiseControl system and the lifting of the USV Tupan under real-world conditions.
First Demonstration in an Offshore Operational Environment (Petrobras Cargo Phase 1)
TideWise is the first autonomous boat operator in Brazil registered with the CHM (Brazilian Hydrographic Center) and the pioneer authorized to carry out Special Order Category A hydrographic surveys.
Official Operator Registration with CHM and Special Order Permit Category A
Enterprise Singapore, a Singaporean government agency, has named TideWise one of the 50 most promising, disruptive, and scalable deep tech startups in the world.
Enterprise Singapore Global Promising Startups | Named one of the 50 Most Promising Tech Startups on the Planet
The USV Myatan (24m), a project with Shell, has obtained 3 Approvals in Principle from Lloyd's Register. This global endorsement attests to its integrity, autonomous safety, and stability in ultra-deep waters.
Lloyd's Register Certification and Approvals.Achieving Three Approvals in Principle (AIPs)
TideWise made history by receiving the first EBN (Brazilian Navigation Company) authorization from ANTAQ to operate autonomous vessels in Brazil. This milestone guarantees exclusivity in cabotage and access to the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM).
ANTAQ Grant - EBN
KPMG has named TideWise one of the 16 "Emerging Giants" in Brazil, recognizing its high scalability, strong compliance, expansion into Belgium, and impact on global decarbonization.