Petrobras signs USD 560 mln shipbuilding contracts in southern Brazil

Petrobras on Tuesday (Jan. 21) signed contracts worth 2.8 billion reais ($560 million) for the construction of five gas carriers, 18 push boats and 18 barges, marking a major boost to Brazil’s shipbuilding industry, according to the federal government.

The contracts were signed at an event in the city of Rio Grande, in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, state Governor Eduardo Leite, ministers, lawmakers and other officials. The projects are expected to generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The vessels were ordered by Transpetro, Petrobras’ logistics subsidiary, which will also operate the fleet. Construction will be carried out at shipyards in three Brazilian states.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the Rio Grande Ecovix shipyard will build the five gas carriers, in a project valued at 2.2 billion reais. These vessels are designed to store and transport liquefied gases such as LPG, widely used by Brazilian households. The first delivery is scheduled for 33 months from now, with subsequent deliveries every six months.

In the northern state of Amazonas, the Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia shipyard in Manaus will build 18 barges, with investments totaling 295 million reais. The barges will be used to transport large volumes of containerized cargo, strengthening Transpetro’s inland navigation operations.

In Santa Catarina state, the Indústria Naval Catarinense shipyard in Navegantes will be responsible for building 18 push boats, vessels used to maneuver barges. The project will require investments of 325 million reais.

With the new vessels, Transpetro’s gas carrier fleet will expand from six to 14 ships, tripling its current LPG and derivatives transport capacity, Petrobras said. The company aims to reduce reliance on chartered vessels. According to Petrobras, the new gas carriers will be up to 20% more energy-efficient, cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% and be capable of operating at electrified ports.

“That means they will be at the top in terms of onboard technology,” Petrobras Chief Executive Magda Chambriard said at the event.

All contracts fall under the federal government’s Mar Aberto program, launched to revive Brazil’s shipbuilding industry. The initiative foresees 32 billion reais in investments in ship and vessel construction through 2030, including 20 coastal shipping vessels, 18 barges and 18 push boats, as well as the chartering of 40 new offshore support vessels to renew the fleet serving exploration and production activities.

“The revival of the shipbuilding industry is also the result of a specific industrial policy developed by the Brazilian government for the sector,” Transpetro Chief Executive Sergio Bacci said. “Without local content rules, resources from the Merchant Marine Fund and mechanisms such as accelerated depreciation, it would not be possible to be here signing these contracts.”

Source: Extra

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