Brazil’s Petrobras is expected to cancel a pair of tenders for the charter of anchor-handling tug supply vessels, as the state-controlled company begins to feel the effects of reduced demand for exploration activities in light of depressed crude prices and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Petrobras received bids earlier this year in tenders calling for the supply of 18,000-bhp-rated AHTS and AHTS-R units — which the oil giant uses to denote supply boats that have remotely operated vehicle functions.

Asso Maritima emerged on top in the tender for 18,000-bhp-rated AHTS units by proposing the Asso Trentuno vessel for a dayrate of $22,450.

The tender for AHTS-R units was divided in two lots, with Norskan Offshore and Asso Maritima proposing vessels in lot B at more than $57,000 per day and nearly 25% above the company’s maximum budget.

Solstad Offshore submitted offers in lot A at more competitive prices, but two industry sources told Upstream it appears Petrobras will not contract a single unit.

“Petrobras has yet to approve the contracting of vessels in both tenders, but we are hearing they will be cancelled,” one source said.

The potential cancellation of the two tenders takes place as Petrobras faced industry ire on another competition for the charter of a single AHTS-TS vessel — an acronym used by the company to differentiate tug supply units from offloading boats.

Petrobras welcomed bids for AHTS-TS units in March and Finarge Apoio Maritimo finished first with the AH Valletta vessel for a dayrate of $23,500, edging out rivals Marlim Navegacao, Brasbunker and Asgaard Navegacao.

However, Petrobras later informed tender participants that the process has been cancelled, despite having notified Finarge a few days earlier it had approved the contracting of the vessel.

“The news did not resonate well with vessel owners and Petrobras was forced to reconsider the decision to cancel the tender. The AH Valletta will now be hired,” the source added.

Petrobras was tendering for multiple supply boats before the combination of low oil prices and the coronavirus hit the market, but now the company is reviewing all its contracts.

“A few companies have been summoned to renegotiate their contracts, including dayrates and time charters. Petrobras is asking some companies to suspend contracts for a period of 120 days, while others have been asked to accept a delay in payments,” a source explained.

Rigs And Vessels

Petrobras to axe tenders