Transpetro , a subsidiary of Petrobras, has launched a tender for the acquisition of four barges (3,000 DWT), four pushers and one ASD tug, marking its official entry into inland waterway navigation.
The move is part of a broader plan to contract 20 barges, 20 pushers, and four ASD tugs by the end of next year. The objective is to position Transpetro among the leading operators in Brazil for the transportation of oil, oil products, and biofuels via barges.
The first units in the tender will be used for fuel transport, with the four barges expected to enter service in the first half of 2026. Brazil’s inland barge market currently moves around 10 million tons of oil and fuels per year.
“Inland waterways refers to rivers, lagoons, and sheltered waters. waters. This is a new frontier for Transpetro, which has never operated in this segment before. Given the growing demand for marine fuel distribution, the company is expanding its service offerings. These barges will load product at Transpetro terminals and supply vessels directly in barge-to-ship operations, such as Guanabara Bay,” explains Daniel Buckley, Chartering Manager and tanker expert at WSB Advisors.
Transpetro bid
