OSJ Americas 2025 maps the world's hottest offshore market

October’s Offshore Support Journal Americas conference in Rio de Janeiro provided powerful proof that Brazil’s offshore sector isn’t just planning transformation: it’s executing it. Over two intensive days, vessel owners, charterers, class societies, financiers and regulators spanning the global offshore supply chain examined Brazil’s emergence as the global offshore hotspot, revealing both the sector’s commanding lead and the opportunities ahead.
 
Fleet growth meets financing reality
 
The conference highlighted Brazil’s remarkable growth trajectory. Petrobras plans to charter 200 OSVs by 2028 — an increase of 15% over its current fleet of 175 vessels — and to issue tenders for 52 newbuilds. The momentum is undeniable. Jens Behrendt from Clarksons Brasil revealed that Brazil has already surpassed its 2014 peak with 409 vessels operating, creating significant opportunities for fleet modernisation as half the PSV fleet approaches 10-20 years old. Elisa Salomão Lage from BNDES confirmed US$3Bn in financing already approved for 10 new vessels, with reduced interest rates rewarding projects achieving 15-30% emissions reductions. In other words: capital is available and actively seeking green credentials.
 
Where production leadership drives innovation
 
Brazil’s Búzios field now produces over 1M barrels per day — the world’s largest deepwater field — while the country reached 5M barrels daily production. Thaís Vachala from Rystad Energy demonstrated that Brazil will continue sanctioning projects beyond current discoveries to meet 2030 demand, with ultra-deepwater representing 5% annual production growth. Wei Huang from ABS confirmed the renewal opportunity: 55 new anchor handlers and 74 PSVs will deliver within three years, supporting fleet modernisation as vessels approach their optimal replacement window. The equatorial margin represents Brazil’s next frontier. Luiz Hayum from Wood Mackenzie highlighted Guyana’s potential 15Bn barrels and Suriname’s emerging golden lane.  
 
Technology leadership and the human factor
 
Marcelo Rampelotti and Gerardo Andrés Igarzábal from Detroit Brasil demonstrated Brazil’s green leadership with the Starnav Electra, the first hybrid OSV fully designed and built in Brazil. At the same time, the human capital opportunity emerged as a strategic priority throughout the two-day event. Luciana Suman from MarMec Engenharia e Consultoria highlighted the training evolution required and confirmed the industry is developing new pathways to recruit and retain talent. Walker Lima from OSM Thome proposed creating dedicated training centres for underserved talent pools, including specialised programmes for offshore personnel with disabilities and women. Such centres would help fulfil industry need as well as legal and regulatory requirements. 
 
Why being in Rio mattered
 
No video call could replicate the impact or value of attendance. The conference format enabled direct engagement between regulators and operators. Dino Batista from Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports provided regulatory certainty while Rafaela Brandão Rocha from ATP outlined port infrastructure developments for shore power and green fuel bunkering. Panel discussions brought together competing vessel owners to share operational insights, while Q&A sessions generated 225 questions across the two days. Those absent missed key strategic insights, candid assessments of operational challenges and the inside track in fleet modernisation strategies. The multiple networking opportunities, including the evening reception sponsored by The Marshall Islands Registry, provided valuable opportunities to forge and renew contacts.
 
Continuing the conversation
 
Riviera’s OSJ conference series continues with the Offshore Support Journal Conference, Middle East in Dubai on 9-10 December 2025, followed by London’s concentrated Annual Offshore Support Journal Conference, Exhibition & Awards from 2-4 February 2026, featuring the Offshore Wind Journal Conference and the OSJ Subsea Conference. The Floating Energy Forum 2026, which will include a significant focus on FPSOs, takes place in London on 14 May 2026.
 
To participate in an OSJ conference please contact ian.glen@rivieramm.com - for the Floating Energy Forum, please contact bill.cochrane@rivieramm.com