Brazil’s Petrobras Orders $560M Fleet to Cut Charter Reliance and Boost Jobs

By Charles Kennedy - Jan 20, 2026

Brazil’s state-controlled oil giant Petrobras has taken another step to strengthen its domestic energy logistics and shipbuilding industry, signing contracts to build a new generation of gas carriers and inland vessels under its Mar Aberto fleet renewal program.

The contracts, formally signed on Tuesday in Rio Grande, in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, cover the construction of five liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers, 18 barges, and 18 pushboats. The total investment amounts to R$2.8 billion (approximately $560 million), with Petrobras estimating the projects could generate more than 9,000 direct and indirect jobs across multiple regions of the country.

All vessels will be operated by Transpetro, Petrobras’ logistics subsidiary, and built entirely in Brazilian shipyards across three states. The Estaleiro Rio Grande shipyard will construct the five pressurized gas carriers, while Bertolini Construção Naval da Amazônia, in Manaus, will build the barges. The pushboats will be constructed by Indústria Naval Catarinense in Santa Catarina.

The initiative was attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, alongside senior government and company officials, underscoring the political and industrial significance of the program. Lula has repeatedly emphasized the revival of Brazil’s shipbuilding and offshore supply chain as a pillar of industrial policy and job creation.

The five gas carriers ordered from Estaleiro Rio Grande represent the largest share of the investment, totaling R$2.2 billion. The vessels include three ships with capacity of 7,000 cubic meters and two larger units capable of carrying 14,000 cubic meters of LPG and related products.

Once delivered, Transpetro’s gas carrier fleet will expand from six to 14 vessels, effectively tripling its LPG transport capacity. Petrobras says the expansion is designed to support rising natural gas production in Brazil and to improve logistics both along the coast and on inland waterways, including operations in the Amazon region and the Lagoa dos Patos.

The new vessels are expected to be up to 20% more energy efficient than the existing fleet, with emissions reductions of roughly 30%. They will also be capable of operating at electrified ports, aligning the investment with Petrobras’ broader emissions reduction and energy transition goals. The first gas carrier is scheduled for launch roughly 33 months after construction begins, with subsequent deliveries every six months.

A central objective of the program is to reduce Petrobras’ reliance on chartered vessels. By expanding its owned fleet, the company expects to gain greater operational flexibility, lower long-term logistics costs, and tighter control over the transport of LPG and other petroleum products.

According to Petrobras CEO Magda Chambriard, the contracts prepare the company for future production growth while supporting the recovery of Brazil’s naval industry. Transpetro President Sérgio Bacci described the fleet expansion as a strategic milestone for energy security and national sovereignty.

In addition to the gas carriers, Transpetro is entering the inland navigation segment for the first time with the purchase of 18 barges and 18 pushboats, representing an investment of R$620.6 million. The move positions Transpetro as a vertically integrated operator in river-based transport of fuels and biofuels.

The vessels will support bunkering operations in strategic ports including Belém, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranaguá, and Rio Grande, allowing Transpetro to operate its own fueling logistics rather than relying on third parties. Petrobras says this vertical integration will improve efficiency and cost control across its downstream logistics network.

The contracts form part of the wider Mar Aberto program, Petrobras’ long-term plan to renew and expand its maritime fleet. Between 2026 and 2030, the company estimates total investments of roughly $6 billion, including 20 cabotage vessels, 18 barges, 18 pushboats, and the chartering of up to 40 offshore support vessels for exploration and production activities.

The initiative reflects a broader trend among national oil companies to internalize logistics, modernize fleets, and align maritime operations with emissions targets—while also using procurement to stimulate domestic industrial capacity.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com