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General news and daily updates from the offshore market.
Reporting and curation by Westhon Media
Starnav signs Rolls-Royce agreement for new hybrid offshore fleet supporting Petrobras
Starnav has signed an agreement with Rolls-Royce to supply 40 mtu 16V 4000 M33S engines for ten new hybrid offshore support vessels contracted by Petrobras. Announced on July 9, 2026, the agreement marks another step in the renewal of Brazil’s offshore support fleet, combining larger vessels, long-term charter contracts and lower-emission technologies for offshore logistics. […]
Digital Minds #3
The End of Intermediaries… or the Value of Judgment? By Fernando Vilela The other day, someone called me asking for information. They weren't a client, weren't interested in hiring anything, didn't want a meeting, and certainly weren't asking for a proposal. They just wanted a piece of information. Then came the questions: a vessel, a […]
Energy Talks # 19 – Rogério Ibrahim
By Rafael Bortoloti In a period marked by the expansion of offshore activity in Brazil, driven by pre-salt developments, new oil discoveries, and growing discussions surrounding the Equatorial Margin, the drilling segment has once again moved to the forefront of the oil and gas industry. Despite its strategic importance to the offshore chain, drilling remains […]
11,000 tonnes of steel arrive at Ecovix as Transpetro tanker programme enters new industrial phase
The shipment represents more than half of the steel required for the first four Handy-size tankers and supports the expansion of production at the Rio Grande Shipyard. Every major project is defined by milestones that demonstrate its transition from planning to execution. For the Transpetro fleet renewal programme, one of those milestones has now been […]
Open Tenders & More
Dear Madam/Sir, WSB is pleased to provide an update on the current long-term tenders that are open to offer. Open tenders: What has changed? What else is happening?
Tech Compass #3
The Future of Data Has Everything to Do with CDs and DVDs — Just Not the Way You Think Project Silica and the Future of Cold Data Storage By Romulo Bacchiega CDs and DVDs use lasers to write and read information on a physical medium. Project Silica, Microsoft's long-term storage initiative, does something conceptually similar: […]
Wrist Group launches Wrist Offshore, unifying operations across three key markets
Wrist Group has launched Wrist Offshore, a new brand bringing together the operations of Strachans, Den Helder Stores and Wrist Boa Praça under a single identity focused on the offshore energy market. The move is part of the Group’s strategy to strengthen its offshore business by combining the capabilities of the three companies into a […]
Por Onde Anda? – Carmen III
The original name was Princess Ihuaku. The vessel was intended for Tidewater. The plan was for delivery in the early 2010s. But when the vessel was finally delivered in 2017, the offshore market was already a very different one, and her identity was also about to change. Carmen III began as hull NT8002, part of […]
Oceaneering secures Petrobras contract
A new Petrobras contract highlights the continued importance of subsea services in Brazil's offshore sector. This week, Oceaneering announced that it has been awarded a four-year contract by Petrobras to provide ROV services offshore Brazil. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2027 and will include two work-class ROV systems, specialized tooling packages, and monitoring and […]
Transpetro – Decarbonization plans
Decarbonization in shipping is becoming less about breakthrough technologies and more about combining practical solutions that can be deployed today. Transpetro’s latest initiative reflects this approach in practice. On July 2, the Petrobras subsidiary completed its first bunkering operation using B30, a marine fuel containing 30% renewable content. The operation took place at the Port […]
A.P. Moller Holding’s Ocean Yield Acquisition Reflects a Broader Shift in Maritime Investment
Capital is increasingly flowing toward maritime businesses capable of generating long-term contracted cash flows. As shipping enters a new investment cycle driven by fleet renewal, decarbonization and rising capital requirements, investors
SAAM Towage places order for four ASD tugboats at Belov
Chilean company SAAM Towage, one of the world’s largest port tug operators, has placed an order with Belov Shipyard, in Bahia, Brazil, for the construction of four new azimuth stern drive (ASD) tugboats. Each vessel will feature 70 tonnes o
Special WSB: Por onde anda? Norksan Copacabana
The name Skandi Copacabana became associated with an important phase of offshore support navigation in Brazil. Before operating under that name, the vessel was registered as Norskan Copacabana. Built in 2005 at Estaleiro Ilha, in Rio de Jan
Brazil and Norway: A rivalry on sunday, a partnership every day
On Sunday, Brazil and Norway will meet on the football pitch. In the offshore industry, however, the relationship between the two countries has long been built on partnership. Over the years, Norway has become one of Brazil’s most important
MODEC and Eld Energy partner to develop SOFC power generation system for FPSOs
MODEC and Eld Energy have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a 1.2 MW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC)-based power system integrated with carbon capture for future FPSO applications. Under the agreement, Eld Energy will lead the de
Cade approves Subsea7-Saipem merger
Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade) has approved, without restrictions, the proposed merger between Subsea7 and Saipem. The transaction, which will combine Saipem and Subsea7 into one of the world’s largest offshore
Special WSB: Por onde anda? MSC Baltic III
Por Onde Anda? – MSC Baltic III The date was February 2025. The MSC Baltic III was sailing off the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, when it reported a loss of power near the entrance to Bay of Islands. Sea and weather conditions were adv
Transpetro signs contract for four new MR1 tankers
Transpetro has signed a US$427 million contract with Ecovix’s Rio Grande shipyard for the construction of four MR1-class tankers, each with a deadweight capacity of approximately 40,000 tons. The vessels will transport crude oil and petrole
Special WSB: Por onde anda? Bravante VI
The former Brazilian PSV now operating as a Service Operation Vessel in the United States. The Bravante VI (IMO 9645621) followed a path that differs from most of the vessels featured in this series. Built in 2014 by Eastern Shipbuilding Gr
Brava receives green light for Ecopetrol acquisition
Brava Energia has secured approval from the remaining bondholders required for the acquisition of its controlling stake by Ecopetrol Investimentos do Brasil, satisfying one of the precedent key conditions precedent established under the pub
Special WSB: Por onde anda? Vega Chaser
Some vessels carry more than an IMO number. They carry the memory of a market being built. Vega Chaser is one of them. Back in 2013, through the former Westshore, we were directly involved in the successful delivery of a series of vessels c
Introducing WSB One 2.0
Less than a month ago, WSB Advisors launched WSB One 2.0, the newest generation of our maritime and offshore intelligence platform. The offshore market has changed dramatically over the past few years. Newbuilding programs are returning, fl
Special WSB: Por onde anda? LAB 152
Not every offshore vessel leaves behind a trail that is easy to follow. Some spend years supporting offshore operations without attracting much attention. No headlines. No major contract announcements. No spotlight. LAB 152 was one of them.
Belov expands Bahia shipyard
Belov is advancing a major expansion project at its shipyard in Bahia, Brazil, with the first phase expected to be completed in 2026. The company is investing more than R$70 million in the development, which is expected to generate over 2,5
SBM and Solstad – Joint Venture
SBM Offshore and Solstad Offshore have formed a joint venture to order a newbuild multi-purpose deepwater installation and construction vessel, with delivery targeted for the first half of 2029. The vessel will support the installation of o