Naval sector: an additional R$ 10.5 billion to finance vessels

Valor aprovado este ano chega a R\$ 31 bilhões em projetos; R\$ 5 bilhões já foram contratados (Carlos Nogueira/Arquivo AT)

The Board of Directors of the Merchant Marine Fund (CDFMM) approved, during a meeting on Thursday, 21 new projects totaling R\$ 10.5 billion for the construction, modernization, docking, maintenance, conversion, and repair of vessels. With this, the total amount approved this year reaches R\$ 31 billion in projects. For 2024, approximately R\$ 5 billion has already been contracted for the expansion of the shipbuilding industry.

On Thursday, projects were presented and approved in various areas, signaling an expansion in shipbuilding. However, the main focus remains on the oil and gas sector, with the production of new large vessels.

The meeting was chaired by the National Secretary for Waterways and Navigation, Dino Antunes. According to the secretary, the projects reflect a strong resurgence of the shipbuilding industry, particularly in inland navigation. “From 2011 to 2022, R\$ 7 billion was approved in this segment. This same amount has already been reached under the current Federal Government administration. We are experiencing a very positive phase for the Merchant Marine. Our challenge now is to ensure that the contracts materialize as approved”, he said.

The CDFMM Resolution, containing the projects that received priority status, will be published in the Official Gazette. Once published, companies will be eligible to secure financing.

The Merchant Marine Fund is managed by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), through the CDFMM, and aims to provide resources for the development of the country's merchant marine, as well as the shipbuilding and ship repair industries.