en.Wedoany.com Reported - Transpetro, the transportation arm of Brazil's state-owned oil company Petrobras, has signed a contract with Estaleiro Rio Grande to build four MR1 (medium-range) vessels, with a total contract value of $427 million.
Each vessel has a gross tonnage of 40,000 tons and will be used to transport oil and petroleum derivatives along the Brazilian coast. The order is part of the "Programa Mar Aberto" (Open Sea Program), which aims to renew and expand Petrobras' own fleet.
These vessels were secured through an international public tender launched at the end of 2025. The first vessel is expected to be delivered within 33 months after the contract takes effect and all documentation reviews at the shipyard are completed.
This contract is part of the 16 coastal vessels planned by Transpetro under the "Programa Mar Aberto" framework, in addition to 18 barges and 18 tugboats. The program has already secured orders for 52 vessels. The construction of new vessels will expand Transpetro's capacity to serve Petrobras and help reduce chartering costs.
Transpetro CEO Sérgio Bacci stated that ordering medium-sized vessels reinforces Transpetro's strategy to enhance logistics capabilities to meet Petrobras' growing production and refining demands. Based on procurement carried out during his term, the company's own fleet will increase from 26 to 42 vessels by 2030. Its mission is to strengthen Transpetro and contribute to the country's economic and social development, as most of this construction will take place in Brazil.
The MR1 vessels will feature next-generation solutions, expected to improve fuel efficiency by up to 20% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 30%, in line with International Maritime Organization (IMO) guidelines. In the future, these vessels can use ethanol and other biofuels, and can operate in electrified ports, equipped with shore power connections. The hulls are coated with high-performance paint to reduce friction and improve operational efficiency. Each vessel is approximately 175 meters long and 30 meters wide, capable of transporting products such as diesel, gasoline, and fuel oil. Additionally, the vessels will incorporate technologies such as 3D digital engineering, telemetry, and telemedicine to further modernize the fleet and enhance monitoring and safety levels.
The total investment in the "Programa Mar Aberto" between 2026 and 2030 is estimated at $6 billion, including the construction of 20 coastal vessels, 18 barges, and 18 tugboats, as well as plans to lease 40 new support vessels to renew the fleet supporting exploration and production (E&P) activities.
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