The manufacturer will start to build offshore construction equipment at the facility in the second half of 2013.

Huisman said that it plans to build 15,000sq m of production facilities in the first investment phase.

It will build a 200m long quay side in the next investment phase. This will protect vessels from the seasonal river’s high currents, by allowing them to enter an artificial bay.

It already has production facilities in The Netherlands, Czech Republic and China.

Its sales, service and engineering support offices are currently located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Singapore and the USA.

Huisman is targeting the Brazilian offshore market with the Atlantic-accessible facility, it said.

Seagoing vessels coming from the Atlantic Ocean will have access via the river Itajai-Açu in Santa Catarina state.