Our History

Petral was founded in 1982 as a shipping company formed by Peruvian entrepreneurs seeking to establish a pioneering business in the country. It was the first maritime transport service specializing in sulfuric acid, for which the 3,100 DWT fishing vessel Pampilla, built entirely with stainless steel tanks, was brought in. It operated primarily between the ports of Pisco and Matarani in Peru, as well as Mejillones and Caleta Michilla in Chile, transporting sulfuric acid; it also occasionally transported fish oil and caustic soda.

In the early 1990s, Petral migrated to a larger commercial vessel, the 8,200 DWT B/T Gorgonilla, which continued the aforementioned transport service, albeit in larger volumes. The B/T Gorgonilla transported not only sulfuric acid, but also vegetable palm oil, caustic soda, and fish oil.

In 2005, anticipating the imminent advance of globalization, Petral invited the Chilean group Ultramar to form an equal partnership. This group also specializes in the chemical tanker segment in Chile, with a presence in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.