Petrobras and Transpetro sign contracts under the Mar Aberto Program at an event with President Lula in Rio Grande (RS)

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva will take part, this Tuesday (01/20), in Rio Grande (RS), in the contract signing ceremony for the construction of vessels under the Mar Aberto Program, an initiative aimed at renewing and expanding the fleet of the Petrobras System. In total, Petrobras and Transpetro are contracting five gas carriers, as well as 18 barges and 18 pushboats, with a total investment of R$ 2.8 billion and the potential to generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.

All vessels will be operated by Transpetro and built in shipyards in three states. In Rio Grande do Sul, the Rio Grande Shipyard will be responsible for building the gas carriers. In Amazonas, the Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia shipyard will build the 18 barges. In Santa Catarina, the Indústria Naval Catarinense shipyard will build the 18 pushboats.

With these new vessels added to the owned fleet, there will be a reduction in dependence on chartering, providing greater flexibility and efficiency to the logistics operations for the transportation of liquefied gases (LPG) and other products.

President Lula will be accompanied by the Minister of Ports and Airports, Sílvio Costa Filho, the President of Petrobras, Magda Chambriard, the President of Transpetro, Sérgio Bacci, and other authorities.

Investment in orders for the shipbuilding and offshore industry stimulates a cycle of new business and opportunities, strengthening Brazil's industrial production chain. "The 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 shipbuilding industry. For us, when Petrobras is stronger, Brazil is also stronger," says Magda Chambriard, President of Petrobras.

For Transpetro President Sérgio Bacci, the acquisitions represent a strategic milestone for the Petrobras System and for Brazil. "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. The contracts signed have the potential to generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs, revitalize the shipbuilding industry, and mobilize the productive chain of this sector across the country. Seeing national shipbuilding hubs being revived is, without a doubt, a source of pride for all of us Brazilians," emphasizes Bacci.

Gas carriers

The gas carriers were contracted through an open and international bidding process, in two lots totaling eight vessels.

The Rio Grande Shipyard was contracted to build five pressurized vessels intended for the transportation of LPG and derivatives: three with a capacity of 7,000 m³ and two with 14,000 m³. Total investment in these constructions amounts to R$ 2.2 billion.

As a result, Transpetro's gas carrier fleet will increase from six to 14 vessels, tripling the current transportation capacity of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and derivatives.

The orders take into account the increase in natural gas production in the country and meet Petrobras' needs, both along the Brazilian coast and in inland waterway navigation, as already occurs in the Northern Region and in the Lagoa dos Patos (RS).

The new gas carriers will be up to 20% more energy-efficient, will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30%, and will be able to operate in electrified ports. The launch of the first unit is scheduled for up to 33 months after the start of construction, with new deliveries every six months.

​​​Barges and pushboats

Transpetro is also signing contracts for the acquisition of 18 barges and 18 pushboats. The order, representing an investment of R$ 620.6 million, marks Transpetro's entry into inland navigation (sheltered or partially sheltered waters, such as rivers, lakes, channels, bays, and lagoons), consolidating the company as one of the leading operators in the transportation of petroleum derivatives and biofuels in the inland waterway mode.

The new business model will enable the vertical integration of bunkering operations, allowing Transpetro to have its own fleet for fueling at strategic hubs such as Belém (PA), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Santos (SP), Paranaguá (PR), and Rio Grande (RS). This integration ensures greater operational control, cost optimization, and gains in logistical efficiency.

Two national shipyards were selected as winners of the bidding process. The Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia shipyard, based in Manaus (AM), will be responsible for building the 18 barges, with delivery of the first unit scheduled for three months after the start of construction. Of the total contracted, ten will have a deadweight capacity of 3,000 tons (DWT) and eight will have 2,000 DWT.

The Indústria Naval Catarinense shipyard, located in Navegantes (SC), will build the 18 pushboats, with initial delivery scheduled for 10 months after the start of manufacturing.

​​​​​Mar Aberto Program

The Mar Aberto Program reaffirms the Petrobras System's commitment to renewing and expanding the national fleet and plays a fundamental role in the logistics of operations and in strengthening the Brazilian shipbuilding industry, in alignment with the objectives of a Just Energy Transition.

With estimated investments of US$ 6 billion in the period from 2026 to 2030, the initiative includes the construction of 20 coastal shipping vessels, in addition to 18 barges and 18 pushboats, as well as the planned chartering of 40 new support vessels intended for the renewal of the fleet supporting exploration and production (E&P) activities.