Jan 21, 2026 (MarketLine via COMTEX) --
Brazilian President Luiz InAicio Lula da Silva was present at the signing ceremony.
Petrobras and its logistics arm Transpetro have inked contracts valued at 2.8bn reais ($521m) to build five gas carriers, 18 barges and 18 push-boats as part of the Mar Aberto programme.
Brazilian President Luiz InAicio Lula da Silva attended the signing ceremony in Rio Grande.
The contract for five gas carriers was awarded through international bidding. The vessels will be constructed at the Rio Grande Shipyard in Rio Grande do Sul.
This initiative will expand Transpetro's fleet from six to 14 vessels, effectively tripling its capacity for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) transportation.
The project accounts for increased national gas production, with new ships scheduled for delivery every six months.
Bertolini ConstruAAGBPo Naval da AmazA'nia in Amazonas is set to produce the barges, while IndAstria Naval Catarinense in Santa Catarina will focus on manufacturing the push-boats.
This initiative is expected to improve Transpetro's operational control and logistical efficiency by reducing reliance on chartering, thereby streamlining logistics operations for LPG and other products.
These contracts are expected to generate more than 9,000 jobs and bolster the Brazilian industrial production chain.
Petrobras president Magda Chambriard said: aEURoeThe Petrobras System is always ready to support Brazil's development. With these contracts, we are preparing Petrobras for the growth of our production in the coming years and leveraging the recovery of the national naval industry. For us, when Petrobras is stronger, Brazil is also stronger.aEUR
Transpetro is also entering the inland navigation sector by acquiring barges and push-boats with an investment of 620.6m reais.
The new business facilitates vertical integration of bunkering operations, enabling Transpetro to maintain its own refuelling fleet at key locations including BelA(C)m, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, ParanaguAi and Rio Grande.
Transpetro president SA(C)rgio Bacci said: aEURoeThe renewal and expansion of the fleet allows us to meet the country's production growth more efficiently, reducing costs and strengthening our energy sovereignty.
aEURoeThe signed contracts have the potential to generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs, revitalise the shipbuilding industry and mobilise the production chain of this segment in the country. Seeing the national naval hubs being revived is undoubtedly a source of pride for all of us Brazilians.aEUR
The Mar Aberto programme underscores PetrobrasaEUR(TM) commitment to fleet renewal and expansion, aiming to strengthen BrazilaEUR(TM)s shipbuilding industry alongside its Just Energy Transition objectives.
An estimated $6bn investment from 2026aEUR"30 is planned for constructing additional vessels and chartering support vessels for exploration activities.
Earlier this month, Petrobras and its partners began oil production at the BAzios 6 project, utilising the P-78 floating production, storage and offloading unit in the BAzios field within Brazil's pre-salt Santos Basin.
http://www.datamonitor.com
Republication or redistribution, including by framing or similar means,
is expressly prohibited without prior written consent. Datamonitor shall
not be liable for errors or delays in the content, or for any actions
taken in reliance thereon
COMTEX_472203742/2227/2026-01-21T09:38:37
Copyright (C) 2026 Datamonitor. All rights reserved
