The move builds on a technical consultancy service deal signed in June 2012 and the Japanese group is now looking to follow up its initial investment in Brazil's largest yard by increasing its stake in EAS to one third.
EAS has had a troubled past couple of years. Former technical partner Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) sold its 6% stake in EAS in March 2012, just ahead of the much-delayed delivery of the first EAS-built tanker to Petrobras' shipping arm Transpetro.
Following SHI's pull out, Transpetro suspended 16 of its 22 ship orders at EAS, demanding the yard find a suitable technical partner and present a reliable timetable for building its ships.
IHI stepped in with its technical consultancy deal a year ago, leading to the resumption of four of Transpetro's tanker orders in Novemeber 2012 and the remaining 12 in May 2013.
Founded in 2008, EAS successfully delivered a pair of suezmax tankers last month, has an orderbook of 20 suezmax/aframax tankers and seven drillships, and is considering FPSO production as part of its future strategy.
IHI will share its advanced technologies and management expertise with EAS, adding to the Japanese company's 35 years of experience in Rio de Janeiro through Ishibras shipyard from 1959 to 1994.
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