Petrobras and its logistics subsidiary, Transpetro, have signed contracts for the construction of 41 vessels under the Mar Aberto (Open Sea) programme, with a total investment of R$2.8bn, the companies said on 20 January.

The contracts cover five gas carriers, 18 barges and 18 pushboats, all to be built at shipyards in three states. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva attended the signing ceremony in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul.

Rio Grande Shipyard will construct the five gas carriers, Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia in Manaus will build the 18 barges, and Indústria Naval Catarinense in Navegantes, Santa Catarina, will produce the 18 pushboats.

The programme is expected to generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs, according to the companies.

Inland navigation vessels

Transpetro has contracted 18 barges and 18 pushboats at a combined value of R$620.6m, marking the company’s entry into inland navigation across rivers, lakes, canals, bays and lagoons.

Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia will build the 18 barges, with delivery of the first unit scheduled three months after construction begins. Ten barges will have a gross tonnage of 3,000 tonnes, while eight will have a gross tonnage of 2,000 tonnes.

Indústria Naval Catarinense will construct the 18 pushboats, with the first delivery scheduled 10 months after manufacturing starts.

The vessels will support vertical integration of bunkering operations, enabling Transpetro to operate its own fleet to supply hubs in Belém, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranaguá and Rio Grande.

"The renewal and expansion of the fleet allow us to support the country's production growth with greater efficiency, reducing costs and strengthening our energy sovereignty," said Sérgio Bacci, president of Transpetro.

Gas carrier expansion

The gas carriers were contracted through an international bidding process conducted in two lots totalling eight vessels. Rio Grande Shipyard secured the contract to build five pressurised vessels intended for the transport of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and derivatives.

The order includes three vessels with a capacity of 7,000 cbm and two vessels with a capacity of 14,000 cbm, representing R$2.2bn of the total investment.

With the addition of the new vessels, Transpetro’s gas carrier fleet will increase from six to 14 vessels, more than doubling its current LPG and derivatives transport capacity.

According to the companies, the new gas carriers will be up to 20% more energy efficient and are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. The vessels will also be capable of operating in electrified ports.

The first unit is scheduled for launch within 33 months from the start of construction, with subsequent deliveries planned at six-month intervals.

Fleet renewal initiative

The Mar Aberto programme aims to renew and expand Brazil’s national fleet and strengthen the domestic shipbuilding industry. Estimated investments under the programme total $6bn between 2026 and 2030.

The initiative includes the construction of 20 coastal vessels, 18 barges and 18 pushboats, as well as the planned chartering of 40 support vessels for exploration and production activities.

“With these contracts, we are preparing Petrobras for the growth of our production in the coming years and leveraging the recovery of the national shipbuilding industry,” said Magda Chambriard, president of Petrobras.

All vessels contracted under the programme will be operated by Transpetro and are intended to reduce dependence on chartering while increasing logistical flexibility for LPG and other product movements.