Energy Talks #14 – Fernanda Hille

By Rafael Bortoloti

In this edition of Energy Talks, we invite you to read our conversation with Fernanda Hille.

A senior naval engineer at Navship — the shipyard arm of the Bram/Edison Chouest Offshore group — Fernanda has spearheaded significant improvements across various vessels. Most recently, she was transferred to ECO’s headquarters in Cut Off, Louisiana, where she has been working since February.

Just before departing for the U.S., Fernanda stopped by the WSB office in Rio de Janeiro for a chat.

Fernanda, thank you so much for speaking with us. We have to start with the big question: what are these changes you’ve been working on?

Hull form modifications aimed at reducing fuel consumption. Each vessel is unique, so the changes are never exactly the same. Think of it like Formula 1: engineers use CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations to test car shapes for better aerodynamics. I do the same, but for ships.

I joined Navship in June 2020, initially focusing on structural and stability engineering. But it wasn’t long before hydrodynamics — my true passion — started to demand more of my time. Hydrodynamics is the study of how fluids move and interact with surfaces, and it plays a key role in how efficiently a ship performs.

Through simulations, we optimize elements like the bulb, bow, stern, beam, and overall length to make vessels more hydrodynamic, reducing power demand at cruising speeds. There are many ways to reduce a ship’s fuel consumption, but hull form is undoubtedly one of the most important.

Our first modification was to the bulb of the Bram Rio in 2022, which resulted in a 7% reduction in fuel use. We’ve continued refining our approach since then.

What are you hoping to experience in the U.S.? And how do you think you’ll have changed by the time you return to Brazil in February 2026?

The projects, challenges, and daily routine will remain pretty similar. Navship’s engineering team is always closely involved with ECO Group’s designs, so I’ve already been collaborating with the U.S. team remotely for some time. What’s changing now is proximity — I’ll be working directly with colleagues and leaders I previously only knew virtually or met during brief visits. I think that closer interaction will improve communication and efficiency.

What are some of the current challenges the company is facing?

There’s been a noticeable trend toward renewing Brazil’s OSV (Offshore Support Vessel) fleet. For example, at the end of last year, Bram and Navship won a bid to build six PSVs for Petrobras.

Still, many vessels in operation are nearly 20 years old, which poses a number of challenges. That’s why continued investment in new builds is essential for modernizing the fleet.

Beyond building and repairing OSVs, we’re involved in projects that set us apart, especially due to our vertical integration. We’re one of the few companies in the sector that controls the entire production chain — from design to delivery — giving us strategic advantages in speed, flexibility, innovation, competitive pricing, and, most importantly, quality.

What about sustainability?

Sustainability is a constant priority for us. In addition to optimizing hulls, we’re developing vessels with hybrid propulsion systems that significantly reduce CO₂ emissions. Navship also focuses on material reuse, and the group as a whole supports various environmental awareness initiatives.

What’s been your most challenging project to date?

That would have to be the design of the ECO Edison, the first offshore supply vessel for wind turbines in the U.S. We started the project in 2020, and the vessel was delivered last year.

It was very different from the types of vessels we typically build in Brazil. Offshore wind energy is well established in the U.S., which made the project both exciting and challenging — especially since it was my first year on the job. Thankfully, our team is very cohesive and supportive, which made all the difference.

You’ve spoken highly of the Edison Chouest group and received recognition, including this recent opportunity to work abroad. Can you talk more about your relationship with ECO and the values you share with the company?

I truly admire the way the company is run. There’s a strong culture of engagement and openness to new ideas. That kind of environment keeps everyone motivated. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities and recognition I’ve received. Navship is the first company I’ve worked for that’s not tied to academia, and I’m glad to be having such a positive experience here.

Let’s talk about your early journey and your love for hydrodynamics. What made you choose naval engineering?

I’ve wanted to be an engineer since I was 14, but initially, I planned to study civil engineering.

I was raised by my single mother, Mrs. Dolores, and we couldn’t afford for me to study far from home. I’m from Joinville, Santa Catarina, so my only civil engineering option was UDESC (State University of Santa Catarina). Unfortunately, I was sick during the entrance exam and didn’t do well — competition was intense, and I didn’t make the cut.

Two weeks later, Plan B appeared: engineering at UFSC (Federal University of Santa Catarina). They offered a general engineering program, with seven disciplines to choose from after the first two years. Naval engineering was one of them.

I initially planned to transfer back to UDESC, but by then, Brazil’s naval industry was booming, and I started reconsidering. What I’ve always been sure about is my passion for engineering. I’ve always loved math, physics, and building things. I took the UFSC entrance exam in 2011 and started in 2012.

Looking back, failing the UDESC exam was a blessing in disguise. I believe that when you give your best and things still don’t work out, it’s often because something better is ahead. As the saying goes, “God writes straight with crooked lines.”

What do you remember most from your time at university?

I loved it. To help my mom financially, I quickly found paid research opportunities, starting in my second semester and continuing until I graduated.

I worked on three major projects, with the most significant focused on hydrodynamics in partnership with Petrobras. We worked on optimizing riser floater layouts to prevent vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs).

Another defining experience was an exchange program in 2016, funded by the Brazilian government. I spent time in Hoboken, New Jersey, studying at the Stevens Institute of Technology, and later conducted a two-month research project on heat transfer in Chicago. That experience delayed my graduation by a year, but it was well worth it — I finished my degree in 2017.

How did you make the transition into the job market?

When I graduated, the market wasn’t as promising as when I started university, so I expected a tough search. But Professor André Fujarra, who had guided me through my hydrodynamics work, encouraged me to apply directly for a PhD at USP (University of São Paulo), even though I hadn’t done a master’s.

It was a bold move, but I was accepted, supported by a Petrobras-funded research scholarship. I moved to São Paulo in February 2018 to develop a numerical tool to simulate motions of moored semi-submersibles and FPSOs. The research was done at USP’s Numerical Offshore Tank (TPN), where I also got hands-on experience with seakeeping model tests.

How did you end up at Navship?

In March 2020, I went home to Joinville for a family event, and that same weekend, Brazil went into lockdown. I had been living in São Paulo, but with the airport closures, I got stuck.

I had sent my resume to Navship the month before and assumed the opportunity had passed. But in May, I was called for an interview, got the job, and started in June — still in Joinville, which is just an hour from Navegantes. I only returned to São Paulo at the end of the year to collect my things.

How do you see the state of naval engineering education in Brazil?

The demand for naval engineers is cyclical and closely tied to the state of the shipbuilding industry. Right now, it’s a great time — there’s a strong demand for new graduates.

That said, the field still lacks visibility. Brazil has one of the longest coastlines in the world, but only six naval engineering programs. I may be biased, but it’s a fantastic field with diverse career paths — from technical roles to sales, construction, logistics, offshore operations, and more.

You’ve achieved so much in under a decade. Does that surprise you? What’s your biggest reflection?

It does surprise me. Earning a PhD and landing a role like this right after graduation — it’s been an incredible ride. I’m grateful for all the opportunities and blessings along the way.

What’s your biggest professional dream — maybe something you hope to achieve in the next 10 years?

I’d love to be part of designing the world’s most efficient PSV, striking the perfect balance between cargo capacity and fuel consumption. And honestly, I think our team could achieve that even sooner.

You teared up when talking about your mother. Can you tell us more about her?

I still don’t know how she managed it all — caring for me, taking care of my bedridden grandmother with Alzheimer’s, and working full-time. She always pushed me to study. Though she couldn’t support me financially, she gave me everything else I needed. I’m deeply thankful to have been raised by her. I truly believe she’s still watching over me.

You were a rhythmic gymnast growing up. That must’ve been special. What do you take from that time, and does sport still play a role in your life?

I believe sports can be just as transformative as education. I trained from age 8 to 17 — five hours a day, five days a week. During holidays, we trained even more. I represented my city in state and national competitions. The farthest I traveled was João Pessoa — 3,000 km from home!

When I started university, I had to leave gymnastics behind. For a while, I wondered if it had been worth it. But now, I know it shaped who I am. These days, I do CrossFit. I love the community aspect.

Thank you, Fernanda.