Decom Mission’s recent international business exchange – decom-es, International Decommissioning Forum – held in Espírito Santo, Brazil was anything but a conventional overseas trade visit. Run in conjunction with our industry partner, FINDES, this was a hands-on programme focused on relationships and education – and built around a single question: can a world-class decommissioning hub be created in Espírito Santo?
Based on the strength of engagement from Brazilian partners and the response from Decom Mission’s attending members, the answer was a resounding yes.
High-Level Engagement and Real Influence This wasn’t about broad introductions or passive observation, this week-long event was about laying real commercial and strategic foundations. The calibre of participation underscored the significance of the Forum – it was a clear demonstration of intent from both sides. Senior representatives from major Brazilian organisations based in both Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro, including executive leadership across energy, ports, investment, vessel ownership and prospective decommissioning operators, were there to engage directly with our delegates.
The commitment to building a robust decommissioning capability in the region was clear, and for our delegates, the scale of opportunity and exposure was described by several as “off the scale.”
Bridging the Gap: Turning Capability into Opportunity A series of structured pitch sessions and the subsequent “speed dating” session, gave Decom Mission members an opportunity to clearly articulate their decommissioning expertise, whilst local organisations responded with their own needs. In other words, immediately bridging the gap between capability and demand. So productive and in-depth was the level of engagement that organisers had to intervene to keep sessions moving – an indication of just how commercially valuable these interactions were.
Understanding that opportunity can turn into sustainable success only when the administrative foundations are in place, the agenda featured significant input from local legal expertise, together with insight and guidance from Brazil’s National Organisation of the Petroleum Industry, its Navy and its National Nuclear Safety Authority.
On the Ground: Scale, Capability and Long-Term Vision Bringing the region’s industrial capability into sharp focus, a site visit to a major, family-owned industrial group underlined the overarching objective of the week, by providing engagement between the visitors and senior industry leadership all committed to long-term investment.
The message was clear across every element of the Forum: Brazil has a determination to prepare thoroughly before large-scale decommissioning begins, coupled with a willingness to invest early in infrastructure, training and capability. For Decom Mission members who have honed their expertise in the North Sea, this represents more than a commercial opportunity; it’s a chance to help shape a national approach to decommissioning.
Where Next: From Momentum to Market Leadership For growth-focused, UK-based decom specialists – particularly those under pressure to diversify beyond more established markets – Brazil stands out as an opportunity that cannot, and should not, be ignored. This Forum established a clear direction of travel and a shared ambition to develop Espírito Santo into a global centre of decommissioning excellence. It has also generated direct commercial leads across ports, investors, vessel owners, and legal and training partners.
The next phase of our partnership with FINDES will focus on converting these conversations into long-term partnerships and contracts – because let’s be clear about this;
Brazil is serious about decommissioning, our members are serious about exporting their capabilities and both parties are 100% committed to effective, sustainable collaboration.
The message is simple. Brazil is ready – and those who choose not to engage may find themselves playing catch-up in a market that’s moving fast.
What our Members said…
“Submar’s experience at the Decom Forum in Brazil proved highly valuable, offering deep insights into the rapidly expanding decommissioning market in the country. Through engaging discussions, knowledge Forum, and direct interaction with key industry stakeholders, Submar gained a clearer understanding of emerging opportunities, regulatory developments, and the growing demand for specialised offshore services. We thank Decom Mission and FINDES for this enriching experience made possible their collaboration created a dynamic platform for innovation, partnership, and strategic growth within Brazil’s decommissioning sector.”
Thibaut Ingelaere, Project Manager – Submar
”A clear picture of the state of evolution of the decommissioning sector in Brazil is very difficult to obtain, even more so the complexities and challenges still to come for it to reach the scale and potential that reflect the press releases. Without question the Decom Forum, and the opportunity presented by Decom Mission to share in the efforts of FINDES to focus on the sector, has helped STARN Group fast track to a much deeper insight into both when and how to advance in the sector in Brazil.’
Dr Ian Wilkinson, Business Manager, Americas – Starn Group