Transpetro, the logistics arm of Petrobras, is set to expand its coastal tanker fleet with a $427m order for four MR1 tankers from Estaleiro Rio Grande, according to Splash247.
The 40,000 deadweight tonne (dwt) vessels will be used to carry oil and petroleum products along the Brazilian coast. The order is part of Petrobras' Mar Aberto programme, which is focused on renewing and expanding the state-controlled oil company's own shipping capacity.
Order Details
The contract was signed following an international public tender launched in late 2025. Transpetro said the first ship is expected to be delivered within 33 months of the contract becoming effective. No specific delivery schedule for the remaining three vessels was disclosed.
The four MR1 tankers are part of a wider spending push of about $6bn between 2026 and 2030 for 16 coastal vessels planned under the Mar Aberto programme, in addition to 18 barges and 18 pushboats.
Fleet Renewal and Expansion
Sérgio Bacci, president of Transpetro, said the MR tanker order supports the company's plan to lift logistics capacity in line with Petrobras' production and refining requirements. "Considering the acquisitions we have made during our administration, the company's own fleet will increase from 26 to 42 vessels by 2030," Bacci said, according to Splash247.
| Metric | Current | Target (by 2030) |
|---|---|---|
| Owned vessels | 26 | 42 |
| New MR1 tankers ordered | 0 | 4 (first delivery in 33 months) |
| Total investment (Mar Aberto) | – | $6bn (16 coastal vessels + 18 barges + 18 pushboats) |
Environmental and Technological Features
Transpetro said the vessels are expected to deliver fuel-efficiency gains of up to 20% and cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 30%. The ships will be prepared for future biofuel use and equipped for shore power connection at electrified ports. They will also feature high-performance hull coatings, 3D digital engineering, telemetry and telemedicine systems.
For freight forwarders and logistics managers with exposure to Brazilian cabotage, this order signals a significant capacity injection on the country's coast. Increased availability of modern, fuel-efficient tonnage should support Petrobras' downstream logistics and potentially improve schedule reliability for oil product movements. However, operators should note the 33-month lead time before the first vessel enters service. The Mar Aberto programme's broader $6bn envelope indicates further fleet additions may follow, which could eventually affect spot charter rates on the Brazilian coastal trade.
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