Digital transformation is no longer a trend, it is a fundamental part of strategy in any dynamic industry. In the offshore sector, where decisions increasingly rely on accurate, real-time information, digital presence becomes the bridge between intelligence and results.
It is within this context that the new WSB-Advisors.com portal is launched — the digital center of WSB Advisors and the Westhon Group, designed to bring together what the group values most: data, technical knowledge, and specialized market insight in a single platform.
The website connects users directly to the organization’s core areas, market intelligence, advisory, engineering, and corporate media, providing an integrated experience for professionals seeking information on the Brazilian and international offshore markets.
Visitors also have direct access to the WSB-One.com database, where they can monitor fleet indicators, market analysis, and technical benchmarks updated daily. This positions the portal as a unique digital hub, supporting strategic decision-making through reliable, structured information.
Beyond data access, the platform features exclusive reports, articles and market briefings produced by the WSB Advisors team. The content covers fleet movements, contracting activity, investment flows, and key industry trends, always grounded in technical rigor and strategic context.
The platform operates in synergy with WSB Advisors’ official channels on LinkedIn and Instagram, and in collaboration with the One Energy magazine, strengthening the group’s digital presence and expanding access to qualified market intelligence.
At the core of this evolution is a principle that guides the group’s culture: Data Matters. Every update, insight, and analysis on the portal reinforces the commitment to precision and consistency in information used to support strategic decisions in the offshore market.
More than a website, WSB-Advisors.com represents the group’s next digital frontier — where technology, intelligence, and communication converge to create value and reinforce the global positioning of WSB Advisors.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
Tag: Shipbroking
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WSB-Advisors.com: The new digital hub for Brazil’s offshore market
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From Oil Major to Energy Company? Brazil Signals a Controlled Transition
By Fernando Vilela
The approval of Provisional Measure 1304/2025 signals more than regulatory adjustments — it represents a strategic redesign of Brazil’s energy policy, balancing supply security, oil monetization, and industrial ambition in clean energy.
In a recorded meeting at the Presidential Palace — released by the government’s communication office — President Lula stated that Petrobras “is more than an oil company” and “will become, over time, an energy company.” The message is clear: Brazil’s energy transition will not be rushed or imported; it will be state-driven, with oil revenues financing the new energy matrix.
The measure is expected to increase the royalty calculation base through a new reference-price formula, pressuring the economics of mature fields and post-salt assets while prioritizing fiscal stability. At the same time, it preserves distributed-generation rights, establishes a cap for the CDE, and enables financing for new gas pipelines via the Social Fund — reinforcing natural gas as an industrial pillar.
The government’s stance aligns with corporate movements betting on productivity, data, and technology as competitive advantages. This is not only about ecological transition; it is an industrial transition built on strategic asset control, local capability, and scale.
The challenge: balancing fiscal revenue, innovation, and investment attractiveness in a global cycle of more selective capital.
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The New Phase of One Energy Magazine
The New Phase of One Energy Magazine: Human Stories with Technical Depth and Market Intelligence
One Energy was created with a clear purpose: to give voice to the human stories behind the offshore and energy industries. Over time, it became a space for reflection and insight, following the evolution of the sector and the people advancing it.
Beginning in 2026, the magazine enters a new chapter. One Energy will integrate data, analysis, and market intelligence into the narratives that have always defined its identity — a natural step for a publication evolving alongside the Westhon Group and WSB Advisors, and aligned with a belief that information has true value only when it supports context and strategic decision-making.
The focus remains on the people who build and operate the industry — engineers, analysts, managers, technicians, and researchers — now supported by indicators and analytical perspectives that help readers understand global dynamics with greater clarity. It is a balance between human experience and technical rigor, turning information into decisions and experience into value.
This phase also strengthens the magazine’s role as a collaborative space, welcoming contributions from industry professionals and experts to expand the debate on energy transition, offshore technology, and the future of industrial operations. The goal is to connect different viewpoints, fostering constructive and informed discussion across the sector.
Integrated with the broader WSB ecosystem — including the WSB-Advisors portal, Westhon Media, and the WSB-One.com database — the magazine will draw on real-time intelligence and sector analysis, ensuring consistency, depth, and credibility across its content. -
WSB Advisors at OTC Brasil
The Expomag Convention Center in Rio de Janeiro hosted OTC Brasil 2025 from October 28 to 30, bringing together key stakeholders from across the oil, gas, and energy value chain. Inspired by the traditional OTC Houston, the conference gathered thousands of attendees and reinforced Brazil’s role in the global offshore industry.
WSB Advisors attended the event with a delegation representing commercial, technical, content and HSEQ functions: Raphael Montes (Proposals Manager), Pedro Pellegrini (Shipbroker Intern), Romulo Bacchiega (Head of Content & Sales), Ronaldo Lima (Senior Advisor), Genesio Ramos (New Building Lead), Jake van den Dries (Partner & HSEQ Lead), and Daniel Buckley (Chartering Manager). Their presence underscored our commitment to following industry trends and strengthening strategic relationships across the energy ecosystem.
OTC Brasil (Source: Ronaldo Lima/WSB Advisors) Under the theme “The future of deepwater technologies: connecting oil, gas and renewables,” this year’s edition highlighted the potential of Brazil’s Equatorial Margin, along with discussions on AI, CCUS, offshore wind, and diversity. The program featured more than 200 exhibitors and 150 speakers, including executives from Petrobras, Shell, Equinor, TotalEnergies, Chevron, SLB and TechnipFMC, as well as government representatives from Amapá, home to Petrobras’ FZA-M-059 exploration block.
The exhibition floor reflected strong participation from industry players such as Porto do Açu, Camorim and Posidonia, in addition to offshore equipment and service providers, IBP, and DNV. The audience ranged from C-level leaders to entrepreneurs, students and operational professionals, reinforcing the event’s collaborative profile.
A technical highlight was TotalEnergies’ presentation of a new, safer and more efficient polymer technology for well cementing operations on drillships.
Held every two years, OTC Brasil remains a key forum for networking, business development and knowledge exchange shaping the future of the Brazilian offshore industry. For WSB Advisors, the event was an opportunity to deepen market insights, strengthen partnerships and reaffirm our role in supporting clients through the evolving energy landscape.
In addition to the exhibition, WSB Advisors also attended parallel events such as Triunfo Cocktail Party at EXC Rio.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
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Why WSB-One Has Become the Benchmark for Offshore Data in South America
In the offshore industry, wrong decisions come at a high cost. That’s why reliable, up-to-date, and contextualized data have become a true competitive edge.
Since 2017, WSB-One, the intelligence platform developed by WSB Advisors, has established itself as the most complete and trusted offshore database in South America — the reference point for operators, brokers, shipyards, and investors who turn information into strategy.
WSB-One.com tracks 388 unique vessels with daily updates across 51 technical, operational, and regulatory attributes — twice as many as its main competitor.
Its coverage of Daily Rate data reaches 63.7% of records, compared to 13.9% for the competitor. In key indicators like Bollard Pull, WSB-One covers 81% of the fleet, while the competitor reaches only 35%. For technical attributes such as ROV, deck area, and cranes, completeness hits 74%.Maintenance indicators like Next Intermediate Survey and Next Drydocking are available in more than 85% of vessel profiles, and the location field identifies port and city, not just country.
These results define what we call “Brazil-grade” — a database built to reflect the complexity and precision required by the Brazilian offshore environment.
By combining technical depth, contextual accuracy, and constant updates, WSB-One has become essential for companies seeking analytical consistency and operational precision in their decision-making.
Because in the end, data are not just numbers — they’re strategy.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies. -
Westhon House: the new intelligence and innovation hub for the Brazilian offshore sector
The Brazilian offshore market is entering a new cycle of expansion and reconfiguration. Amid this transformation, the Westhon Group takes a strategic step forward with the inauguration, in 2025, of Westhon House in Teresópolis (RJ) — a space designed to integrate intelligence, engineering, and communication within a single collaborative environment.
More than a corporate headquarters, Westhon House represents a shift in how the Group envisions and executes its operations. The facility brings together the market intelligence, advisory, and engineering divisions of WSB Advisors, along with Westhon Media and Tirreno Engenharia, consolidating an ecosystem that unites data, technology, and people under a shared strategy. Meanwhile, WSB Broker continues to operate from downtown Rio de Janeiro and maintains its international bases in Houston (USA) and Kristiansand (Norway), ensuring the global reach that distinguishes the Group in the offshore market.Innovation and purpose
Designed with collaboration and technology at its core, Westhon House functions as the Group’s operational and creative center. Every space was conceived to foster seamless interaction between data and decision-making — bringing together analysts, engineers, and communication professionals in a single cycle of creation and intelligence.
This initiative reinforces the Group’s commitment to integration as a catalyst for innovation — where engineering, data, and communication work in synergy to deliver faster, more accurate, and more consistent solutions to the industry.Human development and regional impact
The choice of Teresópolis goes beyond geography. The city is emerging as a new strategic hub for talent in technology and innovation. In 2025, the Westhon Group participated in the Hackathon UNIFESO Challenge, in partnership with UNIFESO University — an initiative aimed at training new professionals in technology and communication.
Hackathon with WSB Advisors – Source: Unifeso The Westhon House team is being gradually composed of local talent, strengthening the regional ecosystem and generating direct professional opportunities. This focus on decentralization and human development reflects the Group’s DNA — the belief that investing in people drives innovation.
Global presence, local essence
Even with international operations in Houston and Kristiansand, the Group reinforces in Westhon House the connection between global vision and local execution. The Teresópolis structure serves as the coordination center for intelligence and operations, ensuring that data analysis, strategic content, and engineering are aligned with the challenges and opportunities of the Brazilian offshore market — one of the most complex and dynamic in South America.Integration as the path forward
With the inauguration of Westhon House, the Group opens a new chapter in its trajectory — transforming information into strategy and data into decision. This is the principle guiding WSB Advisors and the entire Westhon Group: to unite people, technology, and intelligence around a single purpose — to drive the future of the offshore industry with precision, consistency, and integrated vision.Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies, and cms.oneenergynews.com.
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Market dynamics and fleet balance: key insights featured in Revista Portos e Navios’ latest issue
The latest issue of Portos e Navios discusses the current balance of Brazil’s offshore support fleet amid rising bid activity, newbuild programs, and the growing presence of foreign tonnage.
Based on data from wsb-one and insights from Raphael Montes, Proposals Manager at WSB Advisors, the analysis points to a stable fleet of around 500 vessels in the AJB — supported by pre-salt operations and a gradual entry of new units, with no short-term expansion expected.
Around 25 vessels are under construction in Brazil, reflecting a more mature and selective cycle focused on efficiency, digitalization, and environmental compliance. Energy transition remains slow, with room for greater progress in biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel.
The aging national fleet and the limited pace of newbuilds are likely to increase the share of foreign vessels, while new frontiers like the Equatorial Margin and offshore wind are still far from generating effective demand.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies. -
UNIFESO Challenge 2025 Hackathon: Innovation and Collaboration in an Immersive Weekend in Teresópolis
The UNIFESO Challenge 2025 turned Teresópolis into a true laboratory of ideas. Over a 24-hour immersive marathon, Computer Science students and ADS from UNIFESO came together to develop innovative technological solutions based on challenges presented by partner companies — including Noclaf, ASL SofHouse, Medportal, Unifeso and WSB Advisors.
Source: Unifeso More than a competition, the hackathon served as a platform connecting academia and the market, encouraging the development of computational solutions focused on sustainability, technology, and social impact. Teams received specialized mentorship and, at the end of the marathon, presented their projects in pitch format to a panel of representatives from the partner companies.
Source: Unifeso Proposals were evaluated according to feasibility, degree of technological innovation, solution completeness, computational grounding, team synergy, clarity of communication, and user experience (UX).
Source: Rafael Bortoloti/WSB Advisors The top three teams were awarded financial prizes, recognizing the effort and creativity applied under tight deadlines. One team received special recognition for contending for third place with a highly complex project delivered fully within the allotted time — exemplifying the commitment and quality achieved by the participants.
Source: Unifeso In addition to supporting the Hackathon, WSB Advisors announced the opening of three internship positions at its new Teresópolis office, aimed at students interested in data, energy, and offshore projects.
This initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to developing young talent and connecting the offshore sector with academic innovation, highlighting Teresópolis’ potential as a regional hub for technology and innovation.
Source: Unifeso Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.
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Special WSB: “Por onde anda?”
The former AHTS Varada Maresias — now renamed GNL 1015 (IMO 9468657) — was expected to mark a new chapter for Galáxia Marítima S.A., entering Petrobras’ OSRV tender program.
Built in 2013 at ABG Shipyard (India), the vessel was reflagged to Brazil and announced as part of the national offshore support fleet. A contract was reportedly awarded under Galáxia’s name — yet, to date, there are no confirmed signs of mobilization.
According to official registries, GNL 1015 remains anchored off Niterói/RJ, length 57 m, beam 17 m, deadweight 1,850 t.
Maritime sources point to crew-related difficulties and pending operational readiness, echoing broader challenges faced by several units reintroduced to service in recent years.
In short: the vessel is present — but inactive.
Between regulatory hurdles, staffing complexities, and deferred deployment, time continues to count against her contract clock.
Next Thursday: “Por onde anda Saveiroa Albatroz?”
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Brazil’s 3rd Permmanent Sharing Offer: Five Pre-Salt Blocks Awarded
On October 22, Brazil’s National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) held the 3rd Permanent Sharing Offer in Rio de Janeiro. Of the seven pre-salt blocks offered, five were awarded — Esmeralda and Ametista, in the Santos Basin, and Citrino, Itaimbezinho, and Jaspe, in the Campos Basin.
The winners were:
- Karoon – Esmeralda
- CNOOC (70%) and Sinopec (30%) – Ametista
- Petrobras – Citrino
- Equinor – Itaimbezinho
- Petrobras (60%) and Equinor (40%) – Jaspe
Jaspe received the highest bid of the round, offering 32.85% of profit oil to the State, after Petrobras exercised its right of first refusal over Chevron’s proposal. Signature bonuses totaled BRL 103.7 million, with initial exploration investments of BRL 451.5 million.
The round marked the debut of independents Karoon and Sinopec under Brazil’s production-sharing regime, signaling greater diversity among operators historically dominated by majors. The Chinese consortium CNOOC–Sinopec became the first state-owned operator from China to lead a pre-salt area.
Despite the absence of most traditional majors, the auction was deemed a success given the current oil price volatility and reduced attractiveness of the sharing regime. Citrino registered the highest premium, with 251.63% above the minimum profit oil percentage.
ANP Director Symone Araujo emphasized that “replacing reserves is a fundamental duty for energy security.” The agency is now preparing the technical presentation of 16 new blocks for inclusion in the next bidding cycle, potentially bringing 26 new areas to the market under the sharing regime.
Contract signing is expected by May 2026.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com
, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies. -
Transpetro launches tender for 18 barges and 18 push boats
Transpetro, a subsidiary of Petrobras, has announced a public tender for the acquisition of 18 barges and 18 push boats, with deliveries expected through 2028. The process is divided into six lots, three for barges and three for push boats, and allows a single shipyard to be awarded more than one lot. Interested shipyards will have 45 days to submit their proposals.
The barges will be designed to transport a minimum of two grades fully segregated and will incorporate modern technologies. Among the 18 units to be built, ten will be of 3.000 DWT and eight of 2.000 DWT.”
According to Transpetro President Sérgio Bacci, the initiative reinforces the company’s commitment to generating consistent demand for Brazil’s shipbuilding industry while expanding its operational capacity along the entire Brazilian coast. The project also marks Transpetro’s entry into the inland navigation segment, an area in which the company had not previously operated.
The state-owned operator aims to strengthen its role in the transport of petroleum products and biofuels, supporting activity in domestic shipyards and promoting new logistics solutions for its more than 170 clients. Brazil’s inland barge market currently handles around 10 million tons of liquid bulk per year.
Daniel Buckley, Chartering Manager and tanker specialist at WSB Advisors, noted that the new barges are expected to load products at Transpetro terminals and directly supply vessels in barge-to-ship operations, such as in Guanabara Bay — a step aligned with growing demand for marine fuel distribution and logistical integration within inland waterways and protected waters
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Petrobras Secures Operating License for Block FZA-M-059 in Brazil’s Equatorial Margin
20 October 2025 – Petrobras received the operating license from Brazil’s environmental agency IBAMA to drill an exploratory well in Block FZA-M-059, located roughly 175 km off the coast of Amapá and about 500 km from the mouth of the Amazon River, in Brazil’s Equatorial Margin. Drilling operations are set to begin immediately, with an estimated duration of five months.
The approval follows completion of the Pre-Operational Assessment (APO) in August 2025 which served as the final stage of the environmental licensing process. IBAMA validated Petrobras’ emergency response plan and operational readiness before granting the license on 24 September 2025.
The company emphasized that this authorization marks a key step in Brazil’s pursuit of a new offshore frontier, combining technical excellence and environmental protection. According to Petrobras, the exploratory campaign aims to gather geological data to assess the presence of oil and gas in the region, with no production activities planned at this stage.
Stay informed on key offshore developments — visit wsb-one.com, our data platform trusted by leading offshore companies.