BNDES Backs Four Bram Offshore RSV Vessels with R$ 2.18 Billion in Financing

BNDES approved financing of up to R$ 2.18 billion, using resources from the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM), for Bram Offshore Transportes Marítimos to build four RSV-type vessels (support vessels for remotely operated vehicles, ROVs). The ships will be built at the Navship shipyard, located in Navegantes, Santa Catarina.

Bram Offshore is a subsidiary of the Edison Chouest Offshore group, which has operated in Brazil since 1991 and maintains a diversified fleet of offshore support vessels. The Navship shipyard, where the vessels will be built, belongs to the same group.

With this operation, BNDES reaches its third financing deal using FMM resources for the Santa Catarina shipbuilding hub in the 2025/2026 biennium. Together, the three operations total R$ 6.6 billion and are expected to generate 4,000 jobs. The bank estimates that the total investment projected for this specific project is around R$ 2.42 billion.

The vessels will provide support for offshore operations, particularly activities involving remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), used in inspection, maintenance and installation tasks for subsea systems. The project includes solutions to improve energy efficiency and reduce air emissions, including a hybrid propulsion system with batteries and technologies to lower fuel consumption.

Construction of the vessels is scheduled between 2027 and 2030, a period during which close to 2,000 direct jobs would be maintained at the shipyard. Once construction is complete, operation of the new vessels is expected to generate approximately 120 direct jobs and 160 indirect jobs in maritime support activities. BNDES president Aloizio Mercadante stated that since 2023 the bank has already approved more than R$ 15 billion for the shipbuilding sector nationwide.