The Petrobras resumed the contracting of its own vessels with the launch, on this Friday, July 5th, of an international public bidding process by Transpetro for the acquisition of four Handy class ships, ranging from 15,000 to 18,000 gross tonnage (TPB). These orders are part of Transpetro's TP 25 program, aimed at renewing and expanding the Petrobras System fleet, and could create new opportunities for the Brazilian naval industry. Sixteen coastal shipping vessels are already planned under this program in the 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. In order to meet the demands for product transportation, these vessels include solutions that ensure greater energy efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Photo Marcelo Gonzales

"This Transpetro program will increase our capacity in oil and derivatives logistics. We will be less exposed to freight fluctuations and reduce costs related to chartering vessels. It marks the beginning of contracts that will contribute to strengthening the national naval and offshore industry," says Petrobras President Magda Chambriard.

For Transpetro President Sérgio Bacci, the launch of the bidding process signifies the company's strengthening in a sector of great importance to Petrobras and Brazil as a whole. "With these vessels, we are initiating the Fleet Renewal and Expansion Program, incorporating units considered strategic in coastal shipping operations. We already have plans for 16 vessels, including gas carriers and medium-sized ships, with others under consideration," Bacci explains.

The bidding notice is published on the Petronect portal and follows an open international tender format, allowing the participation of all shipyards that meet the technical and economic criteria specified in the tender. Interested companies have 90 days to submit their proposals. The expected timeline for announcing the winning shipyard and signing the contract is December of this year.

According to the competition schedule, the launch of the first Handy ship is estimated for the first half of 2026. Subsequent ships will be delivered every six months, until mid-2028.

Modern and Sustainable Ships

The ship bidding process includes technical specifications that ensure the incorporation of a package of equipment that is more efficient in terms of consumption, with the possibility of using alternative fuels. As a result, the vessels will be more sustainable, reducing their carbon footprint in compliance with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations.

Transpetro has been investing for several years to reduce the carbon footprint of its fleet. In 2023, the company reduced emissions from its operating ships by over 8%.

The fleet expansion also aims to increase Petrobras' capacity, allowing it to reduce its exposure to chartering such units, which have low liquidity in the market.

Transpetro's TP 25 Program

The TP 25 Program of Transpetro plans to acquire ships for coastal shipping along the Brazilian coast, including gas carriers and medium-sized vessels, in addition to the Handy ships from this initial bidding.

Petrobras' 2024-2028 Strategic Plan already includes 16 of these vessels. TP 25 is based on Petrobras' demand and prioritizes the acquisition of ships with low liquidity in the market.

The program is based on technical and governance analyses, combined with the company's technical expertise. The bidding process is robust and includes mechanisms that will ensure very competitive conditions for bidders and, above all, the best price.

Governance procedures for the approval of the next batch of ships planned under the program have already begun, with the publication of the next bidding notices estimated to occur between the end of the second half of this year and 2025.

About Transpetro - Operating 48 terminals (27 waterway and 21 land-based), approximately 8,500 kilometers of pipelines, and 33 ships, Transpetro is Petrobras' largest subsidiary. The company is the largest multimodal logistics company for oil and derivatives in Latin America.

Transpetro provides services to distributors, the petrochemical industry, and other companies in the oil and gas sector. The Petrobras subsidiary's portfolio includes more than 160 clients.