An executive connected to rig contracts from Sete Brasil won by Sembcorp Marine (SembMarine) in 2012 where alleged bribes were paid, has been arrested.

In an update to the Singapore Exchange SembMarine said that according to local reports Petrobras engineering manager Pedro Jose Barusco “had made statements to the effect that illegal payments had been made in connection with contracts entered into by Petrobras and/or Sete Brasil”. Sete Brasil is a subsidiary of Petrobras.

The shipyard group said it obtained a copy of a plea bargain made by Barusco in which he makes allegations against Guilherme Esteves de Jesus (GDJ) in connection to the rig contracts.

“GDJ is connected to companies which were engaged by these subsidiaries as consultants in connection with the contracts,” SembMarine said.

“The company learnt on 28 March 2015 that arising from allegations made by Barusco, GDJ was arrested by the Brazilian authorities on 27 March 2015.”

SembMarine said was unable to comment on the truth or otherwise of the allegations.

The shipyard group reiterated it has a strict anti-bribery policy.