Petrobras considers ethanol carrier fleet
Transpetro, subsidiary of the Brazilian energy group Petrobras, is considering a major expansion of its newbuilding program, this time by adding a number of ethanol tankers. Brazil is transforming from being an energy import nation to an exporter, one significant reason being a fast expansion of ethanol production. The company has currently an orderbook of 26 tankers for oil, gas and other liquid fuels, with first delivery in 2009. According to Bloomberg, the company will soon order a further 16 tankers. The first ethanol carrier is expected to be a 75,000-DWT panamax tanker, with delivery set to 2011. Domestic shipyards will build all vessels.