Edison Chouest Offshore’s Brazilian affiliate Bram Offshore is one of two companies that will each build and operate six new hybrid PSVs (platform support vessel) under contracts awarded by Brazilian energy major Petrobras. The other company is Starnav Serviços Marítimos, a subsidiary of Brazil’s Detroit Group.

The contracts, announced by Petrobras president Magda Chambriard, are worth a total of BRL16.5 billion (about USD 2.75 billion) and cover the construction and chartering of 12 hybrid PSVs. Out of this amount, BRL 5.2 billion (about USD 862 million) will be invested in shipbuilding in Brazil.

Chambriard emphasized that the modernization of Petrobras’ fleet of support vessels is a key initiative in the company’s business plan for the 2025-2029 period.

“These new units will not only incorporate the latest technology but also represent our commitment to sustainable and innovative best practices,” she said. “These are projects that meet the highest environmental, social, and governance standards, essential for a sustainable future, in addition to generating around 11,000 direct and indirect jobs.”

The hybrid PSVs will feature a propulsion system that combines electric motors and batteries with diesel/biodiesel generators, aligning with Petrobras’ goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The contracts include a mobilization period of up to four years and 12 years of operation, with a requirement of 40% local content during the construction phase. The vessels will be constructed in the companies’ own shipyards located in Santa Catarina, in the cities of Navegantes (Bram) and Itajaí (Starnav). Each company will be responsible for chartering six vessels for Petrobras.