Brazil shipyard suppliers get R&D cash infusion

JUNE 6, 2013 — The Brazilian shipbuilding supplier industry is to get BRL 41 million (about $19.25 million) to invest in new technology and equipment.

FINEP (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos), an agency of the Ministry of Science of Technology that funds science and technology has launched a public offer of non-reimbursable funding to support cooperative projects between research and technology institutions and technology and shipyard supplier firms serving the inland, coastal and long haul sectors.

The goal is to increase the domestic content of vessels produced in Brazil and promote job generation.

Proposals will be selected that are focused on at least one of the following;

• Navigation system, positioning, mooring and berthing
• Generation, distribution and storage of energy
• Automation, and control software
• Environment, safety and salvage.

The selection of projects will take place in two stages. Initially, companies, individually or jointly with other companies, must submit a Letter of Expression of Interest for each proposal by June 21, 2013