Por Onde Anda? Ametista Brasil (ex-Vigdis Knutsen)
Automatically generated translation; may contain errors.
Shell became a Brazilian shipping company without buying the tanker that made it possible.
On November 4, 2026, Ametista Brasil completed one year under Shell’s bareboat charter, flying the Brazilian flag with an entirely Brazilian crew. Ownership remains with KNOT Offshore Partners.
The vessel was delivered as Vigdis Knutsen by Hyundai Heavy Industries, South Korea, on February 7, 2017. Built for US$102 million, the DP2 shuttle tanker is approximately 284 metres long, with 156,559 tonnes of deadweight capacity.
Its first charter with Shell began in April 2017. Just weeks later, hull damage during a ship-to-ship loading operation on May 24 resulted in six days off-hire for repairs.
In July 2021, an onboard COVID-19 outbreak interrupted operations for 17 days. KNOT reported no serious illness.
A scheduled drydock in 2022 was extended after abnormal wear was found on the steering-gear rotor. The vessel was off-hire from March 3 to June 14.
That same day, Vigdis Knutsen replaced Windsor Knutsen on a PetroChina charter. In September 2022, the contract was transferred to China Offshore Oil (Singapore), a company within the same group, and later extended until March 2024.
The tanker returned to Shell on March 16, 2024, under a new three-year time charter.
In January 2025, Shell exercised an option to convert the agreement to a bareboat charter, extending the firm period to November 2030, with a further two-year option.
The commercial arrangement changed. The vessel did not need a new owner.
On July 10, ANTAQ granted Shell Brasil authorisation to operate as a Brazilian Shipping Company (EBN), subject to the vessel’s Brazilian registration requirements. According to Shell, it was the first international oil company to receive this authorisation in Brazil.
The vessel was renamed Ametista Brasil and began bareboat operations on November 4, 2025. Shell assumed responsibility for its operation, with OSM supporting technical and crew management.
In January 2026, Shell reported 48 Brazilian maritime professionals working on the tanker. In August, SINDMAR confirmed the vessel’s inclusion in an OSM collective labour agreement.
Nine years after delivery, the tanker has worked through several charter arrangements, three documented operational interruptions and a change of flag.
The vessel changed its name, flag and operating arrangements. Through the latest transition, KNOT remained its owner.
Explore Ametista Brasil’s specifications, ownership and charter intelligence on WSB-One: https://wsb-one.com
This article was produced by Westhon Media for One Energy News.