Long-Term Offshore Systems Based on Large Floating Structures: Regulatory Analysis and Opportunities for Brazil

The work deals with the national and regulatory legal aspects of Long-Term Offshore Systems Based on Large Floating Structures (Very Large Floating Structures, VLFS) or, more precisely, those existing legal institutes applicable to Brazil. These structures represent a remarkable innovation in the field of maritime constructions, being an essential component of the “Greener Offshore HUBs,” which are an innovative approach to the design of offshore activity hubs aiming at the integrated and sustainable exploitation of maritime resources. These hubs aim to create structures and processes that minimize the carbon footprint, promoting greener and more efficient practices in long-stay maritime environments. Therefore, it is up to VLFS to materialize these hubs, offering support for the implementation of sustainable technologies and the creation of a versatile infrastructure in remote areas of the oceans, serving various activities, such as renewable energy production, industrial processing, offshore logistics, and even habitable areas. This article aims to analyze the regulatory aspects of the law of the sea that legally substantiate this type of structure. The results address the case study of VLFS in Brazil, the pertinent legislation, and its regulatory legal implications. Ultimately, the need to comply with Brazilian legislation and international conventions ratified by the Brazilian government for large floating structures is verified. The research sought to deepen the understanding of the object of analysis and its potential impact on offshore activities, aiming to provide a comprehensive study of these floating structures, evaluating both their current applications and the challenges faced by analyzing the legal and regulatory feasibility of these innovative structures in specific contexts, with a focus, for example, on deepwater offshore environments. Therefore, the critical analysis of these challenges will provide valuable insights to guide future studies, aiming to overcome barriers and maximize the potential of these structures in various applications.