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With New Contracts, Billion-Dollar Investments, and Overcoming a Crisis That Nearly Paralyzed the Sector, Brazilian Companies Are Ready for a New Growth Cycle.
The Brazilian maritime support segment has experienced a drastic decline in recent years. In 2014, more than 500 vessels were active in the country, but by 2019, that number fell to 230 due to a prolonged demand crisis. However, since then, recovery has been steady. Today, the fleet is close to 450 vessels, with optimistic forecasts to reach 500 units by the end of 2024.
Recovery Sustained by Strategic Investments
This recovery was driven by investments of over US$ 10 billion through the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM), which enabled the modernization and expansion of Brazil’s maritime support fleet. As a result, Brazil now has the sixth-largest national flagged fleet in the world, made up of sophisticated vessels capable of operating in both shallow and ultra-deep waters.
Petrobras Leads the Resumption of Bidding
One of the key factors for growth was the resumption of bidding by Petrobras. The company launched, at the beginning of this year, a tender for the construction and chartering of 12 PSVs (Platform Supply Vessels), requiring 40% local content, with contracts of up to 12 years. This new cycle of tenders is similar to the old Prorefam (Program for the Renewal of the Maritime Support Fleet), which helped the sector navigate the previous crisis.
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Emerging Challenges in the Maritime Support Industry
Despite the optimistic outlook, the sector faces several critical challenges that could impact its long-term growth capacity.
Shortage of Qualified Labor
One of the main issues faced by maritime support companies is the shortage of qualified professionals to operate the vessels. The demand for highly skilled crew members does not keep up with the pace of fleet expansion. Additionally, the lack of ongoing and continuous training exacerbates the problem.
- Action by the Navy: The Brazilian Navy has already begun to increase the number of spots in the Officer Training Schools (EFOMM), aiming to meet the growing demand. Shipping companies also suggest the resumption of short courses for recertification and training of new professionals.
Impact of Tax Reform
Another point of concern for the sector is the proposed regulation of the Tax Reform (PLP 68/2024), which is currently under consideration in the Senate. According to Syndarma/Abeam, it is vital to ensure that the competitiveness of the Brazilian flag is preserved, especially by maintaining the incentives of the Brazilian Special Registry (REB), a fundamental device for promoting vessel construction in Brazil.
- Proposals Under Discussion: The sector achieved a partial victory in the Senate, with the inclusion of amendments that seek to protect the tax incentives for support navigation. However, these amendments still need final approval from the Legislature.
Expectations of Billion-Dollar Investments
The Brazilian maritime support market is also keeping an eye on Petrobras’ expansion plans. The state-owned company projects investments of US$ 2.5 billion by 2030, with the chartering of up to 38 offshore support vessels, including PSVs, OSRVs (Oil Spill Response Vessels), and RSVs (Remote Subsea Vehicles). These new contracts are expected to further strengthen the sector and create new opportunities for Brazilian shipping companies.
Offshore Production Expansion Projections
In addition to Petrobras’ investments, offshore oil production in Brazil is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. The estimate is that production will reach 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2029, generating even greater demand for maritime support vessels.
The Strategic Importance of Maritime Support for Brazil
The maritime support sector is essential for the Brazilian economy, especially for the offshore oil and gas industry. According to data from Syndarma/Abeam, 97% of Brazil’s oil and gas production occurs in maritime fields, making support vessels a vital link in the productive chain.
National Fleet Participation in Numbers
In July 2024, the fleet of support vessels in Brazilian jurisdictional waters totaled 448 units, of which 84% were national flagged. This percentage has increased in recent years, driven by higher demand for support vessels and the conversion of foreign vessels to the Brazilian flag.
- Fleet Division: Nearly half of the fleet (47%) is made up of PSVs and OSRVs, while AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply Vessels) represent 14% and FSVs (Fast Supply Vessels) and crew boats total 27 vessels.
Main Companies in the Sector and Their Strategies
Among the main maritime support companies operating in Brazil, Bram Offshore/Alfanave, part of the American group Edison Chouest, continues to lead the market, with 75 vessels in operation or awaiting contracting. CBO and Wilson Sons Ultratug also stand out, each with a significant fleet of Brazilian flag vessels.
CBO Expansion and Future Strategies
CBO has reaped the rewards of planned expansion over the past five years, allowing the company to increase its fleet from 32 to 45 vessels. The strategy included purchasing vessels already available in the market, taking advantage of the downtime during the crisis. With this expansion, the company now positions itself as the second largest in Brazil and one of the 10 largest in the world in the maritime support segment.
Investments by Camorim
Camorim is also optimistic about the market’s future. In the past 12 months, the company added five new vessels to its fleet, including two LHs (Line Handlers) and three large vessels. In addition, the company is investing R$ 200 million in the construction of five azimuthal tugs, aiming to expand its presence in the port and offshore sectors.
Future Potential of the Maritime Support Market
With the growing demand for oil and gas, the maritime support market in Brazil has a positive outlook for the coming years. In addition, there is potential for new business in the offshore wind energy, which is expected to represent a new frontier for maritime support in the country.
Opportunities in the Wind Energy Sector
The exploration of offshore wind energy in Brazil is still in its early stages but is already seen as a promising opportunity for the maritime support sector. As new offshore wind farm projects gain traction, the demand for specialized vessels is expected to rise, creating another growth opportunity for Brazilian companies.
The maritime support sector in Brazil is experiencing a significant expansion, with expectations that the fleet will reach 500 vessels by the end of 2024. With billion-dollar investments from Petrobras and the resumption of tenders, the market appears to be on a continuous growth trajectory. However, issues such as the lack of qualified labor and the impacts of tax reform still represent challenges that need to be addressed to ensure the sustainability of this growth.
Excelente reportagem.
Pena que só fala de melhorias e mais vagas de cursos para Oficiais, lembrando que sem a PONTA, marinheiros, sem eles as embarcações não produz tbm, não fala momento algum em mais facilidade de acesso aos cursos.
Verdade companheiro. Para conseguirmos ascensão na carreira está complicado. As empresas não indicam (só oficiais) e a guarnição deixada de lado. A marinha por sua vez segue dificultando a nossa carreira. Não tem mais cursos a distância, não tem mais ason ou asom e etc…. Só pensam em formar oficiais como se eles resolvesem toda demanda sozinhos.
É só não tirar o Lula de lá que coisa anda. Se lembram quando “tiraram”a Dilma? A indústria naval que havia tifo um crescimento fantástico com o PT ficou reduzido a cinzas…