Transpetro maintains suspension of contracts with EAS.
The Atlântico Sul shipyard in Pernambuco has not yet complied with some of the requirements established by Petrobras' logistics arm and has until August 30th to make the requested adjustments to resume operations.
Leonardo Lucena_PE247 – Transpetro's contracts – the logistics arm of Petrobras – with the Atlântico Sul Shipyard (EAS), for the construction of 16 ships totaling R$ 5,3 billion, remain suspended. This statement was made by Transpetro's president, Sérgio Machado, who said that the Pernambuco-based company has not yet fulfilled some of the requirements established between the parties for the resumption of business. EAS has until August 30th to make the requested adjustments.
To date, the only requirement fulfilled by EAS was the establishment of a new technological partnership with IHI Marine United (IHIMU), controlled by the Japanese group Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries (IHI). The exact percentage stake the Japanese group will hold in EAS, controlled by the construction companies Queiroz Galvão and Camargo Corrêa, is still unknown. EAS's former technological partner – the South Korean company Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), which held a 6% stake in the venture – left the partnership due to losses incurred at the shipyard, as well as operational difficulties and a lack of qualified personnel.
It is worth noting that the suspension of contracts between Transpetro and EAS does not apply to the construction of five ships with SHI technology. It only applies to the subsequent 16 tankers. Sérgio Machado also stated, in an interview with the newspaper O Globo, that in case of non-compliance with the regulations, EAS will have to return the amounts invested (in the construction of the ordered tankers) to Petrobras' logistics arm.
The report by Pernambuco 247 We contacted the press offices of Queiroz Galvão and EAS itself, but, for now, neither party will comment on the matter.