Transpetro in for four tanker newbuilds at local yards

Brazil’s Transpetro has selected builders for four handysize product tankers as part of a fleet renewal and expansion program that foresees the construction of 25 vessels for the Petrobras subsidiary. 

A deal worth $278m in total for 15,000 dwt – 18,000 dwt newbuilds is set to be signed with a consortium comprising domestic shipyards Ecovix and Mac Laren by the end of January, following a tender that closed in November with more than 20 companies expressing interest in the project.

The tankers will be the first units in Petrobras’ newbuilding initiative to expand its own fleet in oil and derivative logistics in order to reduce exposure to chartering and charter price oscillations, the company said.

The launching of the first newbuild is expected in the first half of 2026. The other ships will be delivered in sequence every six months until mid-2028.

In addition, Transpetro, the largest Petrobras subsidiary, which operates more than 30 ships alongside 48 terminals, will soon invite bids for eight gas carriers. This will be followed by another tender for the construction of four MR1 tankers, likely in June.