# RApide 1800 Pushboat Design Targets Brazilian Bunkering Market
Robert Allan Ltd. has partnered with Brazilian shipbuilder Indústria Naval Catarinense Ltda. (INC) to develop the RApide 1800, a new pushboat design tailored for bunkering support operations. The vessels will be deployed across Transpetro’s terminal network in Brazil as part of a broader newbuild program, strengthening the state-owned energy company’s logistics capabilities in South American waters.
The RApide design represents a targeted response to Brazil’s bunkering infrastructure demands, where efficient fuel transfer and terminal support remain critical to petroleum supply chains. Canadian naval architect Robert Allan Ltd. has established itself as a specialist in workboat design for energy sectors globally, while INC’s involvement underscores Brazil’s continued development of domestic maritime construction capacity. Transpetro, the shipping subsidiary of Petrobras, operates one of Latin America’s most extensive bunkering networks, making vessel reliability and operational efficiency paramount.
The RApide 1800 order signals sustained investment in Brazil’s energy logistics infrastructure despite global market volatility. As bunkering operations increasingly require specialized vessels capable of handling modern fuel specifications and environmental regulations, the development of purpose-built pushboats helps operators maintain competitive terminal throughput. The partnership also reflects broader trends toward regional ship construction, potentially establishing INC as a key supplier for similar operations across the region.