Oil company Petrobras has signed charter contracts for nine newbuild tankers to be built at Brazilian yards.

Petrobras said it has agreed a 15-year deal with Global Transporte Oceanico for three 45,000dwt tankers, which will be built at Maua shipyard in Niteroi.

Petrobras also finalised a fixture for three 4,500dwt bunkering tankers from Navegacao Sao Miguel.

In the third deal, Delima Comercio e Navegacao will build three 2,500dwt bunkering tankers at Renavi/Enavi in Niteroi with delivery between 2011 and 2014.

The oil company is negotiating charter deals for its seven products tankers, Petrobras said.