The multinational MODEC, responsible for operating offshore assets, was invited to participate in the 5th edition of the Firjan SENAI SESI Opportunity Network Program, aimed at bringing together suppliers and demanders in the oil, gas and shipbuilding market. About 120 business representatives participated in the meeting, on 11/21, at Firjan's headquarters. MODEC has 12 FPSO-type platform vessels under production in Brazil and three under construction for the country.

“With this scenario, we need new suppliers. We have partnerships with whom we trust, and we need to develop new ones. Soon we will have more ships in production. Each of these has the offshore population plus onshore support crews. They need much supply and service. Our spending in 2021 was over US$500 million, 80% of which was local content,” revealed Eduardo Bustamante (photo), Supplier Relations Manager at MODEC.

Bustamante also explained that he seeks competitive prices, but not necessarily the cheapest, due to the necessary quality of the service. In Brazil for 10 years, the company has 2,800 employees, out of 6,000 worldwide. He explained that Supply Chain general management is divided into segments. To become a supplier, the first step is to register on the company's website. When there is a demand without a certain supplier, buyers look for it in the registers. All the documentation and performance of the company is evaluated.

Among the most demanded products in FPSOs are industrial filters, valves, pumps, compressors, accessories. In terms of services, the manager highlighted manufacturing, repair, maintenance, offshore chartering and communication systems.

Karine Fragoso, manager of Petroleum, Gas and Naval at Firjan, praised the presence of new businessmen at the meeting, in addition to those already known: “It is good that we are managing to bring new suppliers to meet the demands of companies from Rio de Janeiro and other states, as was the case at Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz, in Espírito Santo,” she said.

In the mapping carried out by Firjan, there are more than BRL 300 billion in investments planned for up to 2024 in this production chain, with potential for realization with local content. “At MODEC, we identified 17 business opportunities that could be met by 240 potential companies in the state of Rio, based on a survey carried out with 2,200 possible registered suppliers”, pointed out Felipe Siqueira, Oil, Gas and Naval analyst at federation.