Petrobras has ordered four medium-range oil tankers from Estaleiro Rio Grande under a $427 million contract to support coastal oil and petroleum product transport in Brazil.
The contract was signed on 18 June through Petrobras Transporte, also known as Transpetro, and covers four MR1-class vessels.
Each vessel will have a gross tonnage of 40,000 GT and will be capable of operating on biofuels, including ethanol, as well as in electrified ports. The first vessel is expected to be delivered within 33 months.
The tankers will each measure approximately 175 m in length and 30 m in width. They will transport products including diesel, gasoline and fuel oil.
The order is part of the Mar Aberto Program, which is aimed at renewing and expanding Petrobras’ own fleet. Under the initiative, Transpetro plans 16 coastal vessels, along with 18 barges and 18 tugboats. The program has already secured orders for 52 vessels.
Sérgio Bacci, President of Transpetro, said the contract strengthens the company’s strategy to increase logistics capacity in line with Petrobras’ rising production and refining needs. He also said the company’s own fleet is expected to grow from 26 to 42 vessels by 2030.
According to Transpetro, the MR1 vessels are expected to deliver fuel efficiency gains of up to 20% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30%, in line with International Maritime Organization guidelines.
