Brazilian state-run oil company Petrobras and its logistics arm Transpetro have signed contracts worth USD 521 million for the construction of five gas carriers, 18 barges and 18 pushboats.

The contracts, valued at 2.8 billion Brazilian reais, were signed at an event in Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil. The ceremony was attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to Petrobras, the five pressurised gas carriers will be built at the Rio Grande Shipyard in Rio Grande do Sul.

The vessels will transport LPG, commonly used as cooking gas, along with related products.

Two of the ships will have a cargo capacity of 14,000 cubic metres, while the remaining three will each be able to carry 7,000 cubic metres. These gas carriers represent 2.2 billion reais of the total investment.

Petrobras stated that the first gas carrier is expected to be delivered 33 months after construction begins, with subsequent deliveries every six months.

The remaining 18 barges and 18 pushboats will be built at shipyards in Amazonas and Santa Catarina, including Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia and Indústria Naval Catarinense. All vessels will be operated by Transpetro once delivered.

The company said the new vessels will help reduce reliance on chartered ships, support expected production growth and improve logistics for LPG and other products.

The gas carrier programme represents an investment of around USD 409 million.

Together with three additional gas carriers already ordered through an international tender, the new vessels will increase Transpetro’s gas carrier fleet to 14 ships and triple its LPG and derivatives transport capacity.

The contracts form part of Petrobras’ Mar Aberto Programme, which plans investments of USD 6 billion by 2030.

The programme includes the construction of 20 coastal vessels, 18 barges and 18 pushboats, as well as the chartering of 40 offshore support vessels for upstream oil and gas operations.

Reference: Reuters