Forship, a Brazilian company known for its innovation and excellence, has established itself as a leader in providing operations and maintenance (O&M) services in Brazil after setting the standard in commissioning engineering. With unique expertise built for more than 26 years, the company stands out for its ability to deliver comprehensive and customized solutions across various industrial sectors.

Recognised internationally for its commissioning expertise, Forship Group has built a solid reputation in maintenance and operation (O&M), spearheading numerous projects in the energy sector. “As pioneers of Commissioning Engineering services in the country, for which we even developed a fully digital management tool, the Handover Management System Web (HMSWeb), advancing into the maintenance and operation area was a natural process,” says Fabio Fares, CEO and President of Forship Group. He notes that commissioning is an important phase in the EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) cycle, responsible for the startup and performance testing of operational systems.

“In other words, it is entirely involved with pre-operation, often responsible for transitional operation and training of asset operators until the beginning of long-term commercial operation,” he adds. “This ‘familiarity’ with O&M naturally positioned Forship Group comfortably as a leading player in this process as well,” the executive highlights. For over four years, Forship Group has managed O&M for the Utilities of the GasLub Hub, which is now part of Petrobras’s Boaventura Energy Complex in Itaboraí, Rio de Janeiro, inaugurated on September 13, 2024 by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

With the largest natural gas processing unit (UPGN) in the country, the Boaventura Energy Complex, once fully operational, will facilitate the flow of up to 18 million m³/day through the Rota 3 Integrated Project (including the pipeline that will transport gas from the Santos Basin pre-salt layer to the complex). With a processing capacity of up to 21 million m³/day, the venture is expected to significantly increase the domestic natural gas supply and reduce import dependency.

A journey of success

For Fabio Fares, the inauguration of this complex further strengthens Forship’s Group position in O&M, a journey that began in 2003, upon completing the commissioning of the Ibirité thermoelectric unit in Minas Gerais, UTE Ibiritermo. “Shortly before the handover and operation startup, our client invited us to implement and oversee the plant’s O&M. This was our first contract in this area,” the executive recalls. This marked the start of another successful journey for the company, which in 2007, won its first tenders to provide maintenance services for offshore platforms in Petrobras’s North and South Assets in the Campos Basin.

The following year, it secured a full O&M contract for thermoelectric unit, Termoaçu, where it managed operations for four years. After securing additional O&M contracts in thermoelectric plants and several maintenance contracts, both onshore and offshore, in 2016, Forship began its first O&M project for offshore platforms, responsible for managing load movement systems and maintaining cranes and equipment for Petrobras’s Exploration and Production Unit in Sergipe and Alagoas (UO-SEAL).

The following year, its excellence in O&M was recognised with another contract to manage O&M for electric distribution networks and substations for the Sergipe Land Production Asset (ATP-ST) in Carmópolis, Sergipe.

Recognised excellence

“During this period, our O&M services were recognized for excellence by our clients. We developed and refined our O&M engineering, creating IT solutions that helped position Forship at the forefront of the national market as we entered this decade,” says Fabio Fares. In 2020, Forship took on Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering for the Utilities units at Petrobras’s natural gas processing asset in Itaboraí, GasLub. Following Petrobras’s divestment process, it secured O&M services in 2021 for the fixed platform PPER-1 in the Peroá field, acquired by Brava Energia (3R Petroleum). Since then, Forship has continued to expand its O&M project portfolio.

In 2022, it signed a contract with Edge, a branch of Comgas, a natural gas and energy company under the Cosan group, to manage O&M at the São Paulo Regasification Terminal (TRSP). Offshore business has also seen continuous progress. In September of 2024, Forship Group marked one year of an Operations, Maintenance, and Modifications contract for 26 fixed platforms for UN-SEAL.

This year, it also took on O&M for cranes, cargo handling equipment, and industrial cleaning for a total of eight FPSOs (Floating Production Storage and Offloading units) for Petrobras in the Santos (UN-B) and Espírito Santo (UN-ES) basins. Over the years, Forship has expanded its service portfolio, operating in various sectors, including oil and gas, energy, mining, infrastructure, chemicals, petrochemicals, and pulp and paper, consolidating a unique position through the diversity of services and projects delivered in Brazil and abroad. Continuous investment in training, new technologies, and solutions has prepared it for future challenges to meet the demands of an increasingly competitive market.

“Our goal is to continue leading the commissioning, operations, and maintenance market, offering innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients,” emphasizes Fabio Fares. With a successful track record and solid expertise, Forship positions itself as a strategic partner for companies seeking high performance and longevity for their assets. “Over the years, we have shown our ability to overcome challenges, deliver projects, and build long-term relationships with clients. More than a service provider, Forship is a trusted partner that contributes to the development of the Brazilian industrial sector,” concludes Fabio Fares, CEO and President of Forship Group.

For more information, please visit Forship's website.

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