Releases

Our solution will be used to widen the gas pipeline network that takes energy from Texas to the Mexican market HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação has signed a new contract with the Techint group for the licensing and configuration, training, and support services of HMSWeb© (Handover Management System) for the Southeast Gateway Gas Pipeline project (Gasoducto Puerta al Sureste), off the Mexican coast. The project is a landmark development as it is an extension of the Sur de Texas-Tuxpan Gas Pipeline, the largest offshore gas pipeline built in Mexico, which transports natural gas produced in Texas (USA) to the Mexican market. The new 715 km gas pipeline will connect Tuxpan to Dos Bocas, in the country’s southeast, increasing the supply of Texan gas.  “One of the main stages is the connection of the onshore pipeline to the offshore pipeline, referred to as Landfall, which is carried out using a modern technology known as direct pipe. This technique involves drilling through a protection pipe, 54 inches in diameter and 1 km long, into which the final pipe of the offshore gas pipeline to the mainland is inserted,” explains the executive director of HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação, Luciano Gaete. Once this stage has been completed, a 500-meter-long section is connected to the new gas measurement station, which is also responsible for regulating and controlling the transported gas. The work was commissioned by the consortium formed by Canada’s TC Energy and Mexico’s CEF – Comisión Federal de Electricidad, and is expected to be concluded this year.

Forship, which has been providing cargo handling and maintenance services for marine cranes, mechanical equipment, instrumentation and electrical systems to the shallow-water offshore rigs of Petrobras’ Sergipe and Alagoas Exploration and Production Operations Unit (UO-SEAL) for more than five years, has been approved in a special audit carried out at the end of 2023.  Although Forship fared well in the audits, due to its excellence and adherence to HSE guidelines, quality and other requirements, it was particularly exciting because it was the first year of our interaction with Bureau Veritas and, even under the scrutiny of a new certifying body, we passed without a hitch,” says Fabiano Lima, QHSE (Quality, Health, Environment and Safety) manager.

We will bring our expertise to bear on a project that will extend the lifespan of the Serra Azul Mine by 33 years ArcelorMittal has contracted Forship Group’s management, engineering, planning and commissioning support services for the Serra Azul Mine expansion project, in Itatiaiuçu (MG): the construction of a new pellet feed production plant (high-grade ore fines) that will triple production capacity and extend the mine’s lifespan until 2056.  “This first partnership between the Forship Group and ArcelorMittal was ‘built’ by executives who already had familiarity with our solutions, which have been applied in landmark projects at Vale, which uses HMSWeb© (Handover Management System) as a corporate solution in all its projects. There has been growing interest in this platform, which has opened up space for us to also integrate the engineering and commissioning planning services provided by Forship,” says Luciano Gaete, executive director of HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação. Tripled production The new production unit will process compact itabirite, which is more resistant and has a lower iron content, requiring special processing and concentration techniques. This would not be possible in the current processing plant, which will only process friable itabirite, an ore that is easier to crush, grind and concentrate, and which is practically depleted.  With the expansion work, the mine, which was at the end of its lifespan, will remain operational for more than three decades, producing a noble product with a high iron content, the iron ore classified as pellet feed. It will also be able to produce 4.5 million tons/year, almost three times the volume extracted so far (1.6 million tons/year). Adaptable solutions “This project is a unique opportunity to showcase the versatility and effectiveness of our technological solution. It offers exciting challenges that will illustrate the potential for innovation and improvement that our platform offers,” the executive points out.  “The application of the HMSWeb© solution means not only a transition to more efficient and integrated processes, but also the chance to consolidate our reputation as leaders in adaptable technological solutions,” he adds. Luciano Gaete emphasizes that the platform goes beyond meeting ArcelorMittal’s specific requirements for managing Pellet Feed commissioning. “Our participation in this project is a reflection of our confidence in HMSWeb’s ability to effectively manage the complex aspects of a large-scale undertaking, ensuring data security and regulatory compliance. Furthermore, we have the opportunity to contribute to ArcelorMittal’s sustainability goals, reinforcing the impact on the environment and the community,” he says. Sustainability Engineering The executive director of HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação says that the participation of HMSWeb and Forship in ArcelorMittal’s expansion project presents a strategic opportunity to highlight environmental and social responsibility, expertise in complex project management, and contribute to the economic and social recovery of the region, which has already been damaged by dam accidents. “Undoubtedly, this contract represents an opportunity for the Forship Group companies to bolster their skills and commitment to responsible management and sustainable development, facing the challenges and taking advantage of the opportunities that arise in large-scale projects such as this one,” said Luciano Gaete. “We are excited to be working with ArcelorMittal, not only to deploy our solution, but also to strengthen the culture of adaptation and technological innovation. This partnership is a testament to our technical capacity and will certainly be a milestone in our mission to promote operational excellence through advanced engineering and technology solutions,” said the executive director of HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação.

Brazil’s ComBio Energia to use our commissioning management tool in the paper industrial plant of the German group HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação began its first partnership with Brazilian ComBio Energia, who develops projects of steam generation and co-generation of electric power with biomass, aiming to bring environmental improvement and reduction of costs for clients in the industrial sector. The first licensing contract and services of setting and training of the MSWeb© (Handover Management System) regarding the industrial plant of European group Klingele Paper & Packaging, one of Germany’s largest manufacturers of corrugated raw paper cardboard and packaging made from corrugated cardboard. “ComBio brought a smart business to the market, that is focused on sustainability, taking a lead part in energy transition (fossile vs. renewable),” observes Luciano Gaete, Executive Director of HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação, “Contributing to the growth of this segment is gratifying and important to Forship Group,” he highlights. New opportunities The executive sees the partnership with ComBio as a chance to show the potential of MSWeb© to the Klingele Group as well, who began its activities in Brazil in 2020, when they purchased Klabin’s industrial unit, located in Nova Campina (SP). “They are not our direct clients, but they will interface with HMSWeb©”, highlights Luciano Gaete. “We will show the potential and versatility of our solution to ComBio and Klingele, which will certainly have positive results, and will be able to create new opportunities,” he completes.  

EuroChem broadens scope of services supplied by Forship in the Mineral-Industrial Complex Serra do Salitre Switzerland’s EuroChem Mineral & Chemical extended a contract with Forship, who has been operating on the 2nd phase of the Mineral-Industrial Complex of Serra do Salitre (CMISS) since the beginning of 2023, being responsible for the management of commissioning. The enterprise is part of the strategy for the Swiss company’s consolidation in Latin America, where it controls EuroChem Fertilizantes Tocantins (10 units) and Fertilizantes Heringer (14 units). “The contract is being extended due to the increase in Forship’s scope and, consequently, expanding our team,” says the Director of Operations, Marco Antonio Kronemberger. EuroChem had already signed a contract in standard template for licensing and related services of setting, training and support of HMSWeb©, tool by HMSWeb Tecnologia da Informação, subsidiary of Forship Group. “Forship’s commissioning method aligned with the use of HMSWeb© is providing a more assertive rhythm to delivering systems to the operations team. On the current stage of the enterprise, as expected, the commissioning team becomes the driver of the activities. With that, we are reinforcing our field team and the planners,” he adds.   “The challenge remains acquiring even more expertise on such plants,” the executive points out. “Signing this extension is the merit of the team at the front of the services, leaded by the Executive Manager, Marcelo Prata, Project Manager, Marcus Vinicius and Coordinator Helder Batista dos Santos. Operating license In December, the Board of Environmental Policy of the State of Minas Gerais granted an operating license to the chemical plant of Complexo Serra do Salitre, whose construction had started on the second half of 2022.  The Mineral-Industrial Complex of Serra do Salitre will be in charge of 15% of national production of phosphate fertilizers, addition 1.2 million tons to the market, equivalent to 15% of the national production. The enterprise will reduce the dependence of Brazilian agriculture to imported fertilizers, which now stand at about 85%.

Team has done specific courses and training to perform the activity expected on the contract started in September On November, 2023, Forship took over the flight safety services for the operations on UN-SEAL’s platforms, which cover helicopter take-off and landing teams with agent (ALPH), aerial firefighters (BOMBAVS) and radio operator.  “Until now, those activities were done by employees of Petrobras. There was a transition period and trainings, between September and November, when we fully took over those activities. With that being, all the communication between airport and aircrafts are now done by Forship employees,” explains the Project manager, Hudson Azevedo. New qualifications and competences This is all part of the scope of the contracting of operation, maintenance and inspection services in systems and production facilities; building and assembly of metallic structures and operational support to supply for the fixed platforms of UN-SEAL and Petrobras, which are under decommissioning. “This contract has been a huge challenge to Forship, as it involves activities that we had not yet developed, such as flight safety. We are also in charge of all offshore hospitality, in addition to the services in which we already have acknowledged expertise, which are of Operation & Maintenance (O&M),” highlights Hudson Azevedo. Forship promptly prepared for the new challenge: the safety technicians went through the MCIA (Aerial Maneuver and Firefighting) Course and CACI (Advanced Firefighting Course) and the radio operators went through the CNS014 (Communication, Navigation and Surveillance), the Aeronautical responsibility, and the GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) courses, for registration with the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). The main platform (PCM-09) is the only landing one, which means there is no regular frequency, as the flight is the option for embarkation or disembarkation when there is no condition for transportation through vessels.

Extensive Participation in VALE Projects Across Regions Resulting from a Corporate Contract Signed 12 Years Ago We have launched a new project with VALE at the Itabira Complex, the second oldest iron ore production center of the mining company, which has been operational since 1957. With this addition, we now have more than ten projects with VALE in the Iron Quadrangle region of Minas Gerais. HMSWeb© (Handover Management System) will be implemented to replace the ER-7001, ER7004 Reclaimers, and EM-6701 Forklift at the Conceição Mine, part of this mining complex “We have previously conducted other projects with VALE to replace equipment, aimed at increasing stacking and recovery capacity, achieving efficient and automated management of material piles, enhancing active storage, and improving homogenization capacity,” notes Luciano Gaete, CEO of HMSWeb and IT Director for Forship Group. All projects with VALE, under the corporate contract in effect since 2011, include licensing of HMSWeb©, as well as services related to implementation, configuration, training, and support. “The new projects are governed by service orders under the corporate contract, with an estimated number of licensing months. There is no need for a contractual amendment to extend the use of our solution for these projects. The customer simply indicates the extension duration, according to the needs of each project,” adds the executive.

This is what we are ‘building’ with the PGDL (Leadership Development Program The value of our human capital is immeasurable, which is why we created the PGDL (Leadership Development Program) to enhance skills in management, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making. Through this initiative, the Forship Group aims to improve operational efficiency, reinforce Forship’s culture, strengthen organizational leadership skills, boost team motivation, keep leaders updated with the latest concepts and best practices, and foster a healthy and trustworthy work environment Developed between late 2022 and early 2023, the PGDL has been progressing, as explained by Clarice Diniz, HR Coordinator for Forship Group. “Internally, we revisited our skills, assessed our needs, and developed the ‘Forship Way of Leading,’ the first phase of the PGDL. It was structured around two main axes: ‘Looking at Yourself’ and ‘Leading People,’ and was implemented through in-person sessions in Santos (SP), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and Aracaju (SE),” she notes. Externally, we partnered with IAG – PUC-Rio Business School to conduct a fully online PGDL, focusing on the concept of Ambidextrous Leadership. “This program included 12 workshops and 3 rollout meetings, where we addressed real Forship issues in group settings. We will conclude the PGDL with a Sprint, from which we expect to emerge with actionable solutions. In 2024, we will conduct follow-up meetings to track the progress of the action plans developed by leaders to further their leadership skills,” adds Anita Figueiredo, HR Manager for Forship Group. She emphasizes that the “Forship Way of Leading” achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 93.* *What is NPS: The Net Promoter Score (NPS) is a customer satisfaction metric used to measure the likelihood of customers recommending a company’s products or services.