South America’s long eastern seaboard is fast becoming one of the world’s most active energy hubs. Reserves hold billions of barrels, now more accessible through advances in technology to meet the growing global need for secure energy supplies.
Just over one-third of that coastline belongs to Argentina, where GAC opened its newest office in the region earlier this year in response to growing demand for expert shipping, logistics and marine support as the country ramps up its status as a key energy player. We cover ports from the River Plate down to Tierra del Fuego, giving customers direct access to Argentina’s offshore sector.
Growing output
Argentina’s hydrocarbon output over the last two years has regularly hit new record highs, making it South America’s third-largest oil producer. Current activity includes seismic surveys and deepwater drilling in the Northern Basin, as well as exploration in the shallow waters off Tierra del Fuego. The successful exploitation of the 8.6-million-acre (3.5 million hectare) Vaca Muerta onshore shale field has significantly boosted the country’s oil and natural gas output, and is expected to lead to liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports from Argentina for the first time, in due course.
GAC Ship Agency SA13
In April this year, the Secretariat of Energy granted a consortium with the country’s first 30-year permit for free LNG exports, signalling a major shift in energy strategy.
Uruguay, Argentina’s northern neighbour, has established itself as a strategic hub for maritime services, including bunkering, husbandry and offshore support, drawing on its deep-rooted ties with Argentina’s maritime industry.
The country’s proactive licensing strategy and stable regulatory environment make it an attractive partner for joint ventures in the South Atlantic.
In parallel, it is advancing its own energy ambitions, having licensed all of its offshore blocks to international energy companies under the Open Uruguay Round system.
It is now resuming exploration, with prospective resources estimated at over 30 billion barrels of oil equivalent, positioning it as a frontier for deepwater exploration. This complements its success in renewable energy, which has generated over 98% of its electricity in recent years.
Erica Gomez, GAC’s Manager Director in Argentina and Uruguay, says: “Both countries represent exciting opportunities in South America’s offshore energy growth.
“By building our presence here, we ensure our customers receive consistent support across two closely connected markets.”
Brazil is South America’s largest energy producer, and GAC has been providing key support for the country’s energy sector there since 2006.
As reported in OilPrice.com in September 2025, oil production growth is being driven by investments from national oil company Petrobras in prolific pre-salt offshore oilfields, aiming for 5 million barrels per day by 2030. By June 2025, Brazil’s hydrocarbon output was 60% greater than 10 years earlier, lifting 4.9 million barrels of oil equivalent per day during that month.
Analysts forecast crude oil output will reach 5 million barrels per day by 2030 driven by substantial investment from Petrobras, which is responsible for just over 61% of the country’s total hydrocarbon output.
Synergies
Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil share strong port and maritime synergies, especially in cargo flow, infrastructure development and regional integration.
These ties are shaping a more competitive and collaborative South Atlantic logistics corridor.
Montevideo plays a pivotal role as a deepwater hub, complementing Argentina’s and Brazil’s larger port networks, and the three countries collaborate on dredging, navigation and regulatory harmonisation under Mercosur (the Southern Common Market) frameworks. Uruguay’s free port and free zone regimes further enhance regional integration.
Many of Brazil’s crude oil exports to third countries are finalised through ship-to-ship transfers between foreign-flagged vessels in Uruguay’s waters, enhancing its reputation as a reliable partner in South American energy logistics. GAC manages such operations, supporting cross-border collaboration which enhances operational flexibility.
Rapid growth
In Guyana, oil production is surging due to discoveries in the Stabroek Block, producing over 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day in October 2025.
Meanwhile, in Trinidad, the government has awarded a sizeable ultra-deep offshore tract with seismic acquisition and exploratory wells planned. If a commercially-viable discovery is made, potential investment could run into the tens of billions of US dollars.
“Growth in Guyana has been rapid, and customers need partners who can keep pace with the scale of activity here,” says Ravindu Rodrigo, GAC’s Managing Director in Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago.
“We provide customers with shipping, logistics, and energy services support to keep offshore projects moving efficiently across both markets.”
Challenges
But it is not always plain sailing for energy players seeking to take advantage of the opportunities the Eastern Coast of South America offers. The regulatory process can include a web of requirements from multiple authorities and any misstep can lead to delays, fines or project standstills.
The sheer scale of deep-water offshore operations can present logistical hurdles. Operators struggle to coordinate specialised vessels, time-sensitive critical parts, and personnel to remote locations. They also face extreme cost volatility from unpredictable factors like vessel downtime, off-hire charges, unexpected port fees, and storage can add to the volatility. Managing crew changes means obtaining visas and certifications, and coordinating seamless transfers. And then there is the administrative burden of dealing with a hoard of different suppliers, sometimes resulting in communication gaps, a lack of accountability, and endless finger-pointing when problems arise.
We draw on early seven decades of experience supporting our customers in established and emerging energy hubs worldwide with ship agency, logistics and other related services to help navigate the obstacles.
Mauro Sobral, GAC’s Managing Director in Brazil, says our 360° support philosophy, acting as a single, integrated partner that manages every operational front, helps ease its energy customers through the obstacles.
“Our approach transforms isolated services into a seamless, strategic partnership,” he adds. “We act as a client interface with regulatory bodies to ease the way through the red rape. We provide a single transparent point of contact for agency, logistics, ship supplies, husbandry and procurement. And our dedicated teams work around the clock to anticipate challenges and keep operations running smoothly.
“Every detail, from customs clearance to crew certification, is managed with precision to prevent surprises.
“We combine the strength, governance and financial security of a multinational organisation with the agility and cultural fluency of local teams.”
Our staff strategically placed in key locations help ease any administrative obstacles by minimising processing times and enhancing operational efficiency.
Unified approach
By taking an integrated approach to the region, we create a unified operational corridor for customers.
Our Group Vice President for the Americas, Darren Martin, says: “With dedicated shipping and logistics professionals in the Caribbean and Mercosur countries, GAC is well placed to support our maritime and energy customers operations in these challenging locations.
"From a 36-hour port call to a complex offshore project involving multiple assets and extended supply chains, GAC is here in the region to deliver your strategy.”
Darren Martin
In a recent example, GAC supported an offshore supply ship with dry docking in Suape, Brazil, before continuing operations in Uruguay, and returning to Brazil for a new hydrographic survey campaign. Working with the GAC Ship Supply dedicated procurement and supply hub, we managed the complex import of materials, equipment and spare parts for the project.
Exciting opportunities
"There are exciting opportunities for offshore energy in South America," says Nihal Lambay, our Group Director for Energy.
"We are working with key players and drawing from our experience in more mature markets to provide the right mix of integrated shipping, logistics and marine support for our customers' projects."