RIO DE JANERIO : SeaLoading, a company of the MOL Group, has secured a new long-term contract with Petrobras for the continued provision of offshore crude oil transfer services in Brazil using SeaLoader 2, a Cargo Transfer Vessel (CTV) owned by SeaLoading Holding AS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL). MOL Group company to continue offshore crude oil transfer services in the Santos Basin, supporting safer, more efficient and sustainable export operations
The agreement strengthens the longstanding cooperation between SeaLoading and Petrobras and will ensure the continued deployment of SeaLoader 2 in support of offshore crude oil logistics and export operations in Brazil.
SeaLoader 2 Supports Santos Basin Offloading Operations
SeaLoader 2 began supporting Petrobras operations in 2022, initially under a trial programme and subsequently through a time-charter arrangement. Since then, the vessel has been deployed to facilitate the transfer of crude oil from Floating Production, Storage and Offloading units (FPSOs) operating in Brazil’s Santos Basin to conventional crude oil tankers, including Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs).
SeaLoading currently operates two Cargo Transfer Vessels offshore Brazil — SeaLoader 1 and SeaLoader 2. Together, the vessels have successfully supported more than 200 offloading campaigns, demonstrating the operational capability of the CTV model in offshore crude oil transportation.
The latest long-term agreement provides continuity to this operation and further strengthens SeaLoading’s role in supporting Petrobras’ offshore logistics requirements.
Direct FPSO-to-Tanker Transfer Enhances Efficiency
The CTV concept enables crude oil to be transferred directly from an FPSO to a conventional tanker, eliminating the need for an intermediate shuttle tanker voyage.
This approach can streamline offshore transportation logistics by reducing the number of vessel movements required to transport crude oil from offshore production facilities to export tankers. In addition to operational efficiencies, the model has the potential to contribute to sustainability objectives through more efficient vessel utilisation and reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.
The operation is carried out with a strong focus on safety, reliability and operational performance, which remain critical requirements for offshore crude oil transfer activities.
MOL Group Sees Further Potential for CTV Operations
The continuation of SeaLoader 2’s deployment under the new long-term agreement highlights the growing potential of specialised offshore logistics solutions in supporting energy production and export operations.
Building on its experience in Brazil, the MOL Group intends to further develop the application of Cargo Transfer Vessels with energy companies in Brazil and other international markets.
The agreement with Petrobras therefore represents not only an important continuation of SeaLoading’s Brazilian operations, but also another step in the MOL Group’s efforts to expand innovative and more efficient offshore transportation solutions across the global energy sector.
