Offshore Logistics Evolve With Sector Demands

Q: How has the company expanded its operations across Mexico’s ports, and what opportunities do you see for oil and gas logistics?

A: In recent years, the company has expanded its presence to other ports, with a stronger focus on the Pacific, such as Ensenada. While that is not linked to oil and gas, it is connected to certain cargo and projects we manage in the area. We also opened an office in Tuxpan, which allowed us to strengthen our service solutions for certain clients. We began operations in the port of Matamoros, where we have operated since 2020. At first, we had a very small seismic-related operation in 2020–2021. About a month ago, we carried out the first clearance of a cargo vessel in the port of Matamoros. That was tied to other industries, but we believe Matamoros has enormous potential for oil and gas because of its proximity to the Perdido area, with the Trion field and two other highly prospective fields. 

In oil and gas, we cover every port in the Gulf of Mexico   This gives us a very strong logistics solution for our clients, supported by integration with other services.. The offshore sector at Rovesa is handled by a specialized team. Offshore operations are very complex and require, beyond vessel scheduling, handling needs such as storage, survey management, waste management, and support for crew changes, which are often complicated because of volume, frequency, and geographic demand. We managed a very large project linked to TC Energy’s Tuxpan pipeline, contracted by Allseas, where logistical demand was extremely high, with more than 20 vessels operating simultaneously at one point. What I mean is that we have three business lines that interact with each other, supported by a very strong team, a quality system, and certified safety systems, giving clients confidence that the work will be carried out properly and in the right way.

Q: How would you describe Rovesa’s client base and its exposure to PEMEX compared to international operators?

A: Our exposure to PEMEX is very low. We have three or four clients that work with PEMEX, and we support them, but Rovesa’s strength has always been international companies. We have had the fortune of working with various companies in their exploration work, mainly Capricorn, Shell, Murphy, ENI, Harbour Energy and TotalEnergies. That has consolidated us in maritime and port services. Fortunately, our PEMEX risk exposure has been well managed and remains very low. We do not suffer the ups and downs in the production chain that many of our peers are dealing with today. Our company is very well diversified, with three business lines:  Services to Commercial Vessels, Cargo services, and Services to the O&G industry

Q: What advantages has the opening of new offices brought to you and your clients?

A: The last office we opened was in Frontera. We had already operated there before, but with certain difficulties in operating directly. Many times, projects are so complex that a client may be running a project in Dos Bocas but chartering vessels in Seybaplaya, Tampico, Tuxpan, or Coatzacoalcos. We integrate our services directly, which gives us a great advantage. We do not need to subcontract or look for a sub-agent, we are in the port. We are agents with offices, and our clients work with us from the moment a vessel is contracted until the end of the contract, whether in the same port of origin or another. For more complex projects covering wider geographies, we also have a more robust solution. Additionally, some clients may have operations in Tampico, Dos Bocas, and Ciudad del Carmen simultaneously, and they work with the same agency, same contract, same procedure, and same rate. That is much easier for both us and our clients. They do not have to start from zero when moving to another project or port. 

Q: How does Rovesa ensure compliance, safety, and operational quality in its maritime and port services?

A: There is a stronger focus on safety and compliance, and we are fully compliant. We hold ISO9000 and ISO 45001 certifications, which are highly valued by our clients, as well as Anti-bribery certifications and training. We have procedures and processes applicable to the industry. Our experience comes from abroad, and we have implemented processes we developed in other regions for clients with very high standards, who have benefited from that knowledge. Fortunately, we are one of the few companies with a certified quality system for maritime and port services, as well as a certified safety system. We have procedures for crew changes, inspections of vehicles and hotels, and more. Sometimes it is complex to explain how we do it, but all of this translates into operational quality and service quality for our clients. It increases reliability, which is very important and highly valued by clients. We have continuously improved to adapt to the industry’s requirements.

Q: How is Rovesa preparing to serve new operators and mixed contracts in Mexico’s offshore market?

A: We are very open and highly interested in mixed contracts. We are very well positioned in the regions where those projects will take place, especially offshore. We have worked on similar scopes before. In construction, for example, we have supported very complex projects. In drilling, I would say Rovesa has been involved in about 70% of projects, to some capacity. We have also been involved in preliminary work, such as geotechnical studies, geophysics, bathymetry, and baseline studies. We have strong experience in seismic as well. I believe we are very well positioned to work with new players in mixed contracts. We are structuring our services to provide what clients need: experience, quality, and a strong presence in the ports where we expect these projects to be carried out.

Q: What role do you see Rovesa playing in Mexico’s offshore sector in the coming years?

A: Rovesa will continue consolidating its presence and services for key operators in Mexico in the coming years, supporting their operations. The offshore oil and gas sector in Mexico will evolve at a different pace than Europe or the United States, which are shifting toward carbon capture and renewable sources. I believe there will be a significant change in Mexico’s energy matrix because the country will demand it. Hydrocarbons are finite, and Mexico must prepare for the next stages by adapting its energy matrix. Naturally, the industry will also have to move in that direction.

Q: How are Rovesa’s three business lines integrated to deliver more value to clients?

A: Since we operate three business lines, commercial vessels, cargo services, and offshore (O&G), we see increasing integration among them. We have clients with very diverse needs, and we integrate all the company’s capabilities, which are extensive. For example, many infrastructure projects may not require chartering services but do maritime and land freight, handling, and so forth. These are capabilities we already have. That is the direction we are moving toward: greater integration of our three business lines and a stronger, more comprehensive service offering for all our clients.

Rovesa was founded in 1991 as a Mexican shipping agency based in the port of Tampico. Since then, it has expanded into an integrated maritime and port services provider and logistics consultancy, with a division dedicated exclusively to servicing the offshore sector.