The Transpetro – Petrobras Transporte S. A. TP-25 Shipbuilding Program
The tender for the first four handy-size tankers (15-18 thousand DWT) of Transpetro’s TP-25 shipbuilding program has received a bid from shipyard Rio Grande S.A, in partnership with Mac Laren. Among 20 pre-qualified bidders, this offer quotes around USD 75 million per vessel—a total of USD 300 million for all four units, or approximately BRL 1.7 billion.
The absence of additional contenders and adherence to deadlines, notably without repeated postponements, indicate that Transpetro is moving decisively forward, on their commitment to meeting fleet renewal demands pushing for market alignment. This approach also highlights the potential for Brazilian shipbuilding costs to benefit from scale, achieving greater competitiveness with shipbuilding leaders, especially China.
WSB Advisors is proud to have acted as advisors to the offering group in this tender. As the process advances to the negotiation and approval phases, several critical steps remain before the contract can be finalized.
Tag: offshore
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Transpetro Bid
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Rio de Janeiro will host the next G20 Summit
The city of Rio de Janeiro will host the next G20 Summit on November 18 and 19. Recognized as one of the world’s leading international forums, the event will bring together leaders from 19 countries, along with representatives from the European Union and the African Union. Together, G20 nations gather approximately 85% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and nearly two-thirds of the world’s population.
You might be questioning : how does this affect WSB?
The theme for the 2024 G20 Brasil 2024 Summit is “Building a Fairer World and a Sustainable Planet,” with a focus on environmental development. Energy transition will be a key topic, closely aligned with an issue central to WSB Advisors and our clients.
Debates around energy policies, climate change, and renewable energy sources have a direct impact on our industry and could influence pricing and contracts.
President Lula will host the summit, and WSB will closely follow the discussions to set our strategies and support our clients in their decision-making.
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WSB rooftop party
WSB Workshop Series 2024 concluded with a superb welcoming to friends, colleagues, and partners from the oil companies community to our rooftop to celebrate with owners another milestone event.
This relaxed “after hours” wasn’t just about winding down; it was a celebration of the progress we’ve made and the collective vision guiding us into the months ahead.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and made the evening unforgettable. We look forward to many more moments like this as we round off a fantastic Workshop Series 2024 and look ahead to 2025!
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WSB Advisors workshop
WSB Advisors hosted the fourth and final quarterly workshop of the year last Thursday, November 7. After two previous events for shipowners and a seminar, we’re closing the season by welcoming leaders from chartering companies to our office.
Our team—Alexandre Mattar Vilela, Raphael Montes, Joana Rodrigues, Pedro Pellegrini and Daniel Buckley—presented an overview of vessels in Brazil, including an analysis of current and projected daily charter rates for OSVs in the country and more.
In addition, guests discussed key industry topics such as vessel lifespans, flags, tonnage, and reviewed real market case studies.
Key points:
• History, present, and future of rates
• Market implications
• Brazilian legislation
•Contracts, bidding processes, new builds, circularization, and vessel blocks
• Green energy and the energy transition: more supply and more demand?
• Decommissioning and dismantling
• Ships types, aging, newbuilding demands
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Tender update
Tender Update: Petrobras Signs Contracts to Meet AHTS Demand
We’re pleased to share that Petrobras has now signed contracts for the recent AHTS TS/TO tender, fulfilling all demand requirements.
For our WSBOne subscribers, this information with vessel names and dates is already live on our online platform, offering early insights into contract developments. The ability to predict and track vessel movements, departures, and arrivals remains a critical part of the intelligence that drives our industry forward.
Stay connected for more updates as we continue to deliver timely and actionable insights. -
Production news: some updates
ANP has released its monthly report on oil and gas production for September this year. A notable highlight is the record production in the pre-salt region, which reached 3.681 million boed. The pre-salt also achieved a record share of national oil and gas production, accounting for 81.2% of the total 4.539 million boed produced.
Additionally, Brazil recorded an overall increase in oil production compared to the previous month. In September, total production in Brazil reached 3.470 million boed, reflecting a 3.9% increase compared to August. However, this marks a 5.5% decline compared to the same month in 2023. Natural gas production was 169.92 million m³ per day, another record for Brazil. This represents a 6.4% increase compared to August 2024 and a 7.6% increase compared to September 2023.
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DOF concludes acquisition of Maersk Supply Service
DOF Group has announced the completion of its acquisition of Maersk Supply Service, and the company will now be known as DOF Denmark. The transaction is valued at approximately $1.1 billion, consisting of a mix of cash and shares, allowing DOF to expand its fleet to 78 OSVs. It’s important to note that Maersk’s operations in Brazil are not included in this transaction, nor are Maersk Offshore Wind operations involved in the deal.
“DOF name and brand remain, MSS fades away. Makes sense. A.P. Moller Holding has evolved to become an industrial investor leveraging from the position its A.P. Moller – Maersk different operating companies built throughout decades. DOF on the other hand is the right vehicle to raise the equity and debt facility to enable the transaction. A.P.Moller to nominate two additional members to the board (vice-chairman and member of the remuneration committee) and the chairman of the nomination committee. Complex deal. Nice move. Good for both. Good for the industry”, said Alexandre Vilela, CEO of WSB Advisors.
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FPSO starts production
The FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias started production last Wednesday (30). The unit, located in Mero 3, Libra block, in the Santos Basin, has the capacity to produce up to 180,000 boed (barrels of oil equivalent per day) and can compress up to 12 million m³ of gas daily, increasing total field productivity from 410,000 boed to 590,000 boed.
The vessel was built by MISC, departed from China in February, and arrived in Brazil in May. In total, there will be 15 wells, consisting of 8 oil producers and 7 water and gas injectors, connected to the platform via subsea infrastructure.
We at WSB are proud to be part of this milestone. In partnership with major companies like Belov, MISC, and CBO, WSB Advisors played a key role in various stages of the FPSO installation—from chartering offshore support vessels and coordinating complex engineering tasks to facilitating vessel inspections.
“Brokerage and Beyond,” – We are always ready for new challenges.
Want to know more about our involvement in the FPSO Marechal Duque de Caxias project? Read more here.
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Baker Hughes and Petrobras: a new agreement
Baker Hughes has announced the closing of contracts with Petrobras to provide 77 km of flexible pipe systems to be deployed in Brazil’s pre-salt fields. The agreement was signed following a public tender.
The project includes risers and flowlines for hydrocarbon production, as well as associated gas and water injection, with support for equipment storage, maintenance, and installation. Delivery is scheduled to begin in mid-2026, and the equipment will be utilized across Petrobras’ Búzios, Libra, Berbigão, Sururu, and Sépia fields.
Earlier this year, the company announced several agreements with Petrobras, including additional contracts for 69.1 km of flexible pipe systems and associated services in the third quarter. Other awards have included integrated well construction services in the Búzios field and integrated solutions for workover and plug-and-abandon services across Petrobras’ pre-salt and post-salt fields.
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Solstad renew contracts
Solstad Offshore has announced the details of contracts for three OSVs operating in Brazil. The company also reported that the combined gross value of the contracts is approximately $53 million.
The AHTSs Normand Topazio and Normand Turmalina will be chartered for an additional year by PRIO and Brava, respectively. Earlier this month, the vessel Normand Cutter has finished a contract with Ocyan and started a new one with Prio.
Want to read more? Get in touch with our commercial department to have access to WSB. One.
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Agreement between Wilson Sons and MSC
Wilson Sons announces the SPA (S&P Agreement) reached with SAS Shipping, fully owned subsidiary of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. SAS Shipping is already active in Brazil as controlling shareholder of Log-In Logística Integrada.
The closing is expected in the second half of 2025, at which time the buyer will launch a public offer to acquire the remaining shares under the same terms as the S&P agreement, in accordance with CVM regulations.
What is closing? At this stage, the buyer officially takes ownership of the shares, completing the transaction under the agreed terms.
“At the WSB Advisors Semina, we highlighted the growing trend of acquisitions within Brazilian infrastructure and shipping. As anticipated, new developments have now emerged in the market.
Admiral Ilques Barbosa Jr remarked during the seminar that infrastructure—particularly shipping—intersects with national sovereignty, pinpointing the importance of logistical security for Brazil’s future.
While WSB Advisors was not involved in the recent transaction between Wilson Sons and MSC our industry expertise leads to a broader observation: this will likely not be the last deal of its kind in the sector.
On a personal note, it may be time to reconsider the incentives and, perhaps, debate the rules surrounding Brazilian tonnage ownership. Although, in principle, the transfer of shares from Ocean Wilsons to SAS Shipping does not affect the local ownership of Wilson Sons’ operations, it raises questions about the long-term implications for national interests”, says Alexandre Vilela, CEO of WSB Advisors. -
Norbe VIII at Guanabara Bay
The drillship Norbe VIII, owned by Foresea, has been anchored in Guanabara Bay, between the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. The vessel is currently undergoing the final stage of a scheduled maintenance that began on August 9 of this year.
Norbe VIII arrived in Rio de Janeiro after spending 28 days in maintenance at a dry dock in Rio Grande do Sul, where it underwent cleaning, painting and general inspection, in a process managed by Ecovix.
WSB reports that the vessel is expected to resume operations in November under a new contract with Petrobras. The last work was in Mero 4, Santos Basin.