Sembcorp Marine’s Brazilian Yard Awarded Research Support Vessel Work for Brazilian Navy

Sembcorp Marine scores a first for a new vessel, designed and built in Brazil for Proantar, the Brazilian Antarctic Programme

Sembcorp Marine Ltd, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Estaleiro Jurong Aracruz (EJA) and Sembcorp Marine Specialised Shipbuilding Pte Ltd (SMSS), and the establishment of a Special Purpose Entity “Polar 1 Construcao Naval SPE Ltda”, has secured an EPC Contract valued at about USD150 million (approximately SGD200 million) from Emgepron, a state-owned company linked to the Ministry of Defence in Brazil.

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract involves a newbuild support vessel, the NApAnt, for the Brazilian Navy for scientific research deployment in the Antartica. Measuring 93.9 metres in length, 18.5 metres in width and weighing about 5.88 metric tonnes with a draft of six metres, the NApAnt is built to navigational ice field standards, classified as P-6.

The project will be executed through EJA yard in Brazil to comply with the requirement of local contents while drawing from the pooled resources of Sembcorp Marine global network including the extensive knowledge and experience of SMSS in the design and construction of high-performance and specialised vessels.

Construction of the new vessel will commence in 2022 with scheduled completion in the third quarter of 2025. On completion, NApAnt will replace the ocean support vessel (NApOc) Ary Rongel (H-44) which is approaching the end of its life cycle. The vessel is expected to add a new operative dimension to the Brazilian Antarctic Programme.

Mr Guhan Thangavelu, President of EJA said, “We are thankful to Emgepron and the Brazilian Navy for choosing EJA and Sembcorp Marine, and for the confidence on our proven designs and past experiences. This is a strategic project for the yard, enabling EJA to leverage the Group’s domain knowledge, expert capabilities in EPC and project integration, as well as EJA´s capabilities to undertake solutions for Polar Class (DP2) Vessels.”

Mr William Goh, Chairman of EJA said, “The Company is pleased that its proposal fulfilled key project criteria of ​vessel ​performance and specification;​ robust business ​financial​ model; rigorous construction ​methodology; including detailed ​life​cycle ​management and ​integrated ​logistical support. We are privileged to support the Brazilian Navy’s oceanographic and scientific programme in the Antarctic through this project.”

Vice-Admiral Edesio Teixiera Lima Junior, Head of Emgepron said, “It is an honour for the Emgepron (Management Company of Naval Projects) to participate, in partnership with the Brazilian Navy and Polar 1 Construcao Naval SPE Ltda, in such an important undertaking, which will provide the Brazilian shipbuilding naval industry to join the restricted circle of those capable of building ships with capability of operating in the icy polar regions.”

Admiral Jose Augusto Vieira Da Cunha De Menezes, General Director of Material of Navy said, “The acquisition of the new Antarctic Support Ship by the Brazilian Navy is of strategic importance for the country, thus providing the maintenance of the Brazilian presence in the Antarctic continent and the continuity of the scientific research that has been carried out at the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station.”

This Contract is not expected to have any material impact on the net tangible assets and earnings per share of the Group for the year ending 31 December 2022.