Petrobras unveiled the second partial results of its 2023 tender for PLSVs, highlighting a significant engagement from Sapura Navegação Marítima S.A. and Subsea7. Awarded vessels include the foreign-flagged Sapura Rubi, Jade, Onix, Diamante, Topazio and Seven Waves, Sun, Cruzeiro and Rio, alongside Brazilian-flagged Sapura Esmeralda and from Technip Skandi Niteroi.
Technip‘s Skandi Açu and Oceanicasub’s yet unnamed (TBN) are under technical diligence phase.
“Numerous vessels offered under both Brazilian and foreign flag, understandably priced higher due to local crew costs, taxation, and tonnage when on BR flag, were overlooked in favor of foreign-flag. Not surprisingly anymore, even locally built ships offered under a foreign flag, which reflect local cost structures, were excluded due to excessive price. When will charterers truly commit to supporting local industry, if the option was there?” ponders Alexandre Mattar Vilela , CEO of Westhon and WSB Advisors.
