Petrobras and Transpetro sign vessel construction deals worth USD 521 million

Petrobras and Transpetro sign vessel construction deals worth $521 million

RIO DE JANEIRO, January 21, 2026 – Petrobras and Transpetro have signed contracts for newbuilding vessels worth USD 521 million under Brazil’s Mar Aberto Program, Petrobras announced on Monday.

The order is for the construction of five gas carriers, 18 barges and 18 pushboats, which will be built at the Rio Grande Shipyard in Rio Grande do Sul, the Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia shipyard in Amazonas and the Indústria Naval Catarinense shipyard in Santa Caterina, respectively.

All vessels will be operated by Transpetro. With the order, Petrobras aims to reduce its reliance on vessel chartering, support its growing output and improve logistics for LPG and other products.

“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,” said Petrobras president Magda Chambriard.

The gas carrier order consists of five pressurised vessels for transporting LPG and derivatives. Three will have a capacity of 7,000 cubic metres, and two will have a capacity of 14,000 cubic metres.

Coming at an investment of USD 409 million, the newbuilds, together with three others contracted through an international bidding process, will bring Transpetro’s gas carrier fleet to 14 vessels and triple its transportation capacity of LPG and derivatives.

Delivery of the first gas carrier is expected 33 months after construction begins, with subsequent deliveries taking place every six months.

The Petrobras-led Mar Aberto Program seeks to revive the company’s fleet and Brazil’s shipbuilding industry through planned investments of USD 6 billion through 2030. The initiative covers the construction of 20 coastal shipping vessels, 18 barges and 18 pushboats, as well as the chartering of 40 support vessels for upstream oil and gas operations.

Photo courtesy of Petrobras

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