Ecovix Completes Keel Laying of First Handymax Tanker for Transpetro
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On October 15, Ecovix carried out the keel laying of the first Handymax vessel built at Estaleiro Rio Grande, in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, for Transpetro, Petrobras' logistics subsidiary. The milestone came six months after hull steel processing began, marking the start of the vessel's structural assembly.
Part of the Mar Aberto Program
The vessel is the first of four Handymax-type ships ordered by Transpetro through the Marenova consortium, as part of the Mar Aberto program, an initiative aimed at renewing and expanding the Petrobras System's own fleet. Work began in April with the processing of hull steel at Ecovix's manufacturing plants, according to the schedule agreed with Transpetro, and mobilized more than 500 professionals at the shipyard during this year.
Vessels to Transport Petroleum Products
The four Handymax vessels will expand Transpetro's logistics capacity by 16,000 deadweight tons and will be equipped to carry light petroleum products, such as marine diesel, S10 diesel, S500 diesel, and aviation gasoline or jet fuel. In July, the shipyard received 11,000 tons of steel from Indonesia for the project, and more than 65% of the equipment required for construction has been acquired so far.
A 13-Vessel Contract
In addition to the four Handymax vessels, Ecovix will build for Transpetro five pressurized tankers for transporting LPG and other petroleum products, along with four medium-range MR1 class tankers, completing a total of 13 vessels over the coming years. According to Datamar News, these shipbuilding projects combined could generate up to 5,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Statements from Company Executives
Transpetro's Director of Maritime Transport, Jones Soares, stated that the construction of these vessels represents a milestone in the resumption of the company's investments in its own fleet and reinforces its strategy of expanding operational capacity to meet market demand and support the growth of the country's oil production. Meanwhile, Ecovix CEO Robson Passos noted, according to Datamar News, that the event demonstrates the strength and capabilities of Estaleiro Rio Grande, and represents the culmination of the entire team's responsible work in building the four vessels, the first of several to be delivered to Transpetro in the coming years.
