Brazilian energy company Petrobras has awarded contracts worth 16.5bn reais ($2.8bn) for the construction of 12 PSVs.
The company has awarded contracts to Edison Chouest-owned Bram Offshore and Starnav Serviços Marítimos, with each vessel operator agreeing to charter six vessels.
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The allocation of funds includes approximately 5.2bn reais dedicated to shipbuilding activities within Brazil.
Bram will construct its six PSVs at its Navship shipyard, while Starnav has chosen its Detroit shipyard, both located in Santa Catarina state in southern Brazil.
The contracts include a 12-year operational period, with up to four years for vessel mobilisation, and mandate 40% local content during construction.
Petrobras chief executive Magda Chambriard said: “These new units will not only incorporate the latest technology but also represent our commitment to sustainable and innovative practices.
“These are projects that meet the highest environmental, social and governance standards, essential for a sustainable future, in addition to generating around 11,000 direct and indirect jobs.”
The new vessels will feature hybrid propulsion systems, combining electric engines and batteries with diesel or biodiesel-powered generators.
The latest contract awards align with Petrobras’ commitment to sustainability and its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This initiative is a key component of Petrobras’ 2025–29 strategic plan to modernise its support fleet.
Petrobras, through its Colombian branch PIB-COL, and Ecopetrol recently reported Colombia’s largest gas discovery to date.
The Sirius-2 well, located in the GUA-OFF-0 offshore block, approximately 77km from Santa Marta in northern Colombia, has confirmed gas volumes exceeding six trillion cubic feet.
This discovery, situated at a water depth of 830m, has the potential to increase Colombia’s current gas reserves by 200%.
