APS is expected to begin the removal of the vessel Prof. W. Besnard this week

The Autoridade Portuária de Santos (APS) is expected to begin this week the removal of the oceanographic vessel Prof. W. Besnard, a historic ship that listed in the Port of Santos on March 13. The case has been treated as a priority since the incident, with a focus on navigation safety and environmental protection.

According to APS president Anderson Pomini, refloating is expected within 4 to 5 days, allowing the vessel to be stabilized and reducing operational risks in the area. “It was an emergency contracting process, based on an analysis of proposals submitted by five companies, with Marfort Serviços Marítimos selected,” Pomini explained.

Published this Tuesday, March 31, in Brazil’s Official Gazette, the contract has a duration of six months and covers a diving plan, operational safety, lifting, refloating methodology, pollution containment, and the vessel’s dry-docking at a shipyard for a technical assessment of possible recovery, even if only partial.

Although the vessel belongs to the Instituto do Mar, to which it was donated after years of use by the Universidade de São Paulo in Antarctic research, APS assumed responsibility due to the emergency situation declared by the Capitania dos Portos.

Partially submerged, the Prof. W. Besnard remains at the quay, and its presence requires measures to ensure the safety of the port area. The Navy had previously stated that, at the initial stage, the vessel did not pose an imminent risk to navigation but was monitoring the case through an administrative inquiry.

Prof. W. Besnard is a symbol of Brazilian oceanography. The vessel took part in Brazil’s first Antarctic expedition and carried out dozens of scientific missions throughout its history, reinforcing its historical and institutional value.

Source: APS

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