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German submarine specialist TKMS buys Brazilian shipyard

Oceana Shipyard
TKMS photo of the Oceana shipyard

German shipbuilding major thyssenkrupp Marine Systems has acquired the Oceana shipyard in Itajaí, Brazil, from Aliança S.A., a company owned by CBO Group.

CBO is a leader in offshore support vessels sector and one of the largest employers of qualified maritime personnel in the Brazilian market.

The acquisition is being executed through the Brazilian subsidiary, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems do Brasil, and is part of the international strategy of Marine Systems.

Oceana has been chosen as the preferred shipyard for the building of four Tamandaré-class frigates for the Brazilian Navy.

TKMS said the transaction was subject to the approval of the Brazilian antitrust authorities and the official entry into force of the frigate contract – expected for the middle of this year. The purchase price was not disclosed.

“With Oceana, we have an excellent infrastructure for building the most modern frigate of the Brazilian Navy,” Rolf Wirtz, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, said.

“The shipyard also offers us the prospect of taking on follow-on orders. Not only locally, but also in other countries of South America.”

TKMS added that over the next two years, up to 800 local employees are to be recruited for the Tamandaré project alone. This means that ships with a very high domestic added value can be built in Brazil. Delivery of the ships is planned to take place between 2025 and 2028.

Águas Azuis, a joint venture of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Atech, will be responsible for completion of the four frigates.