Transpetro is marking its entry into a new logistics mode with the launch of its first public tender for the acquisition of four new 3,000-deadweight-ton (DWT) barges, four push boats, and one tugboat. This order is part of a broader company project focused on inland waterway navigation, which aims to contract by 2026 a total of 20 new barges, 20 push boats, and four tugboats to operate across Brazil.

This new venture will position Transpetro as one of the leading barge operators for the transportation of oil, oil products, and biofuels in the country.

The first vessels under this tender will be dedicated to fuel transportation operations. The four barges are expected to enter service in the first half of 2026.

According to Transpetro’s president, Sérgio Bacci, the move into the barge segment reflects a new phase for the company, focused on expanding and diversifying its business operations.

“Our entry into the inland navigation segment will bring greater robustness and flexibility to Transpetro’s operations, in line with our goal of business growth and diversification. With this initiative, we expect to reach 50% of the Brazilian fuel transportation market by barge in the medium term, which would place us among the country’s top barge operators,” Bacci stated.

Brazil’s barge market handles approximately 10 million tons of oil and fuels annually.

“Transpetro’s entry into the barge segment is part of our multimodal strategy. Our plan is to complement the existing infrastructure of pipelines, terminals, and ships with additional modes of transport. Diversifying our logistics modes increases our service capacity, strengthens our presence in strategic regions, and better prepares the company to support Brazil’s growth sustainably and competitively,” emphasized Márcio Guimarães, Transpetro’s Director of Pipelines and Terminals.

Procurement Process

The tender will be divided into two lots. One will cover the acquisition of four barges and four push boats, while the other will be for the procurement of one tugboat.

The tender notice will be available on Petronect, the Petrobras system’s electronic procurement platform. The bidding process is open to Brazilian companies that meet the technical and financial criteria outlined in the tender.

The Vessels

The 20 barges in the initial phase of the project will each have a deadweight of 3,000 tons and will be capable of transporting one or more petroleum derivatives (with or without cargo segregation), incorporating modern technologies.

The vessels will be equipped with electrically driven cargo pumps and power generation modules, reducing greenhouse gas emissions during operations. The push boats and tugboats will follow standard designs and be capable of operating at speeds of six knots.

About Transpetro

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

Transpetro provides services to fuel distributors, the petrochemical industry, and other companies in the oil and gas sector. Its client portfolio includes over 160 companies.