DNV captures lion?s share of Brazilian offshore boom

From 2003 to the end of 2005 Brazilian shipyards have built, or will be building, 25 offshore support vessels, of which 21 will be classed by DNV.

Brazil, which was the second-largest shipbuilder in the world in the late ?70s, has experienced a slump that has lasted for a several decades culminating in the closure of all the country?s shipyards in the mid ?90s. This situation has now changed due to intensive political efforts and five shipyards are now building new ships. In addition, another yard is busy with repair work while a second is involved in outfitting FPSOs.

Due to the fact that many of the existing vessels supporting the Brazilian offshore installations were built almost 30 years ago, the re-opened yards had to prepare for this type of newbuilding. DNV believes that the reason for their huge market share, 85%, is largely due to the fact that the yards have confidence in DNV?s experience in the offshore market sector.

Tor Svensen, COO DNV Maritime said “We are very satisfied with the collaboration between Brazilian yards and DNV. We can also foresee that new ship types will be built in Brazil in the years to come, and DNV has to show the shipyards that we are a class society for all types of vessels.” Svensen added that “As far as we can see, there is a lot of optimism in the country, and DNV wants to be the preferred class society for all ship types in Brazil.”