OVER HALF A CENTURY OF WORK AND HISTORY
Master Marine has a long journey as a ship supplier that spans over half a century. Its story stretches across decades and is respected by industry professionals throughout the country. To revive this important legacy, we took a stroll down memory lane with Eugênio Pierotti, the company’s Chairman. In an interview with journalist Sandra Perruci, he shares insights from his 67 years of dedication to the sector and the strong legacy of his father’s work at the helm of Mansueto Pierotti & Filhos Ltda.
A LEGACY THAT BEGAN IN 1949
In 1949, you were five years old. That was when your father founded Mansueto Pierotti & Filhos Ltda., the company that would later become Master Marine. What did Mansueto do?
My father founded Mansueto Pierotti & Filhos Ltda. in Santos (SP), in the back of an old hardware store. There, he stored parts and food to supply ships. The trade name was Fornecedora Santista de Navios, later adopting the name Mansueto Pierotti, which was used for state registration.
The first time I entered the company was in 1957, when I was 13. My first job was tying string through the holes of labels that were attached to the boxes sent on board. These labels featured the Mansueto Pierotti logo and were individually marked with “CABIN”, “DECK”, and “ENGINE” to help the crew identify which part of the ship the goods were meant for. I started to learn how to sort the items and supplies for the ships. I also learned to type and became familiar with the Santos commercial district, where shipowners, shipping agencies, and federal authorities connected to port activities were based.
At 14, I already had a port credential from Customs. Back then, the Santos dock operated from Warehouse 1 to 25. The Saboó dock was where gas carriers and tankers berthed, and ships carrying gasoline would dock at Barnabé Island, as they still do today. At the time, ships were also allowed to anchor offshore within the port.
Ship supply was done using small boats moored at the dock in front of Santos Customs, and I would deliver goods almost daily to FRONAPE (Brazilian National Oil Tanker Fleet) vessels. I started going on board because there were no restrictions for minors then. I’d go as an apprentice with my father’s employees, carrying goods and doing a bit of everything. By the age of 16, I had more autonomy, represented the company, and learned a great deal working with Argentine and Uruguayan ships, which Mansueto Pierotti regularly supplied.
I was always very outgoing in both commercial and operational areas—I loved my work and had a great rapport with crew members and officers. But it was with PETROBRÁS-FRONAPE vessels that I devoted most of my professional life. My personalized service to PETROBRÁS gave me the opportunity to supply their ships as a priority and to be a pioneer in the ports of São Sebastião, Angra dos Reis, and São Francisco do Sul. When their oil terminals were inaugurated (TEBAR, TEBIG and TEFRAN), I received special, personal invitations from the President of Brazil and the President of PETROBRÁS to attend the official openings. I attended all of them.
GROWING WITH THE COMPANY
From there, did you grow alongside the company?
When you own a business, even with the help of collaborators, you begin to see things differently and always aim to elevate your company. You don’t worry much about sleep, lunch, or rest, because you’re driven by improvement. My life in this field has always been like that—deeply involved and with little time to spare. My father also gave me a lot of decision-making power.
I remember when I started, he was the President of the Lions Club, managed a soccer team, and was part of several service organizations in Santos. He was heavily engaged in those. As I was already learning and developing well at Mansueto Pierotti, I began to fill in for him operationally. From apprentice, I became a supervisor, which brought new challenges. At 18, I got my commercial driver’s license and would drive our truck weekly to supply ships in São Sebastião. I still do it as a hobby—or when needed. Even if my kids scold me, I’ve taken the truck in some situations to supply a ship in São Sebastião, where we have a branch.
VALUES, EXPERIENCE, AND PASSION FOR THE SEA
It’s clear that these memories move you. How did your work at Mansueto Pierotti & Filhos Ltda. help shape your values and the person you became?
My father faced serious financial difficulties getting established in the business, and that became a challenge for me—I had to help him. Even at a young age, I began going to banks and negotiating personally with companies that sold to us and were trying to become competitors. I handled accounting, learned the company’s bureaucracy, and all those experiences gave me a broader understanding of the business.
That helped me mature, because life throws challenges at you and you have to take responsibility. I was a terrible student—failed three times. I crammed the night before tests and prayed to pass. But once I started working with my father, even in operations, I gave it my all to learn the job and be the best. I studied our clients, learned everything about the companies that chose to work with us—when they were founded, who the president was, the captain, the chief engineer, local representatives, and so on.
When I boarded ships, I could hold a conversation and show them I genuinely knew their company and understood the products and needs a ship had to continue its voyage.
THE HUMAN SIDE OF SHIPPING
Where did your love for the Brazilian Navy and seafarers’ lives come from?
In 1972, the Sociedade Amigos da Marinha—SOAMAR—was founded, and my father got involved with it. He eventually became president of the Santos chapter. As he did with everything, he encouraged his children to get involved too. So in 1980, I began attending events more regularly and interacting with many Navy officers. I’ve been Public Relations Director for ten years, Vice President for six, and President for another six. Today, I’m once again the 2nd Vice President of SOAMAR Santos. It’s been 45 years—and they won’t let me leave! (laughs)
When you work with ships, you meet a lot of people, especially crew members. Friendships form. Ships arrive and you’re there. They leave and when they return, you’re there again. Crew members often spend months away from their families, and you’re the one who hears their stories and shares in their lives.
That’s especially true in the Merchant Navy…
Yes, definitely. I believe that seafarers working on distant ports suffer more from isolation, being so far from their families. Today things have changed a lot, but back then voyages were longer, and communication didn’t exist like it does now. No cell phones, WhatsApp, or internet. Officers couldn’t always go ashore easily. The only people they saw were customs agents, port health officials, shipping agents—and in my case, the ship supplier. So, they had contact with very few people.
And it was you who heard stories about the storm at sea, the child born whom they hadn’t yet met, or the father who passed away and they couldn’t say goodbye. I’ve even cried a few times aboard ships.
PASSING THE TORCH
Your entire life has been tied to this sector, but today you see a new generation taking over the business. Having gone through so much, what’s your message for the future?
It’s a wonderful feeling to see your children carrying on your work. We face new challenges and changes today, but I believe it’s always important to look back on past experiences. They help guide your decisions. Old lessons still hold value.
Few people know that Master Marine was born over 60 years ago as a partner of Mansueto Pierotti & Filhos Ltda. It was inspired by my father, and the name is a tribute to the friends we made in this field. It was founded in 1965, and since 2013, when Mansueto Pierotti & Filhos Ltda. ceased operations, Master Marine has taken over all ship supply services. That’s why we mark 15 years of activity, but our story spans decades.
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION
And it’s already an award-winning company…
That recognition came in 2015, when we received the Longevity Award from ISSA. ISSA is an international association that represents around 2,000 ship suppliers worldwide. During its Diamond Jubilee celebration in Singapore, we were among the standout companies with over 25 years in the sector. My children, Flávio and Fernanda, went to receive the trophy—which is a great source of pride for us.
Published on 10/01/2018
Updated on 03/26/2025
