Ibama launches operation to investigate abandoned cargo at Santos

Between September 21 and October 8, a scan will be carried out at the Port of Santos in order to identify abandoned dangerous cargoes. The action was defined in a meeting with members of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Natural Resources (Ibama), the Army, the Port Authority, and bodies linked to the Environment, held on August 31.

Operation Relic is carried out every year by Ibama in order to locate and inspect imported cargoes that have been abandoned or retained, and which may cause risks to the environment and people’s health. However, the explosion at the Port of Beirut drew the attention of the environmental agency, which decided to devote efforts to the inspection of ammonium nitrate and dangerous products. The Reliquary Operation will include a complete survey of 55 port terminals and three companies in Cubatão.

“We held the meeting with the objective of inviting these state and municipal authorities to join our operation, which is an operation for everyone. It [operation] was further strengthened. We had already closed with federal agencies and, now, with municipal and state agencies. The operation is not punitive, it is preventive and oriented ”, explains federal environmental agent Ana Angélica Alabarce, responsible for Ibama in the region.

According to her, in addition to mapping dangerous products, the operation will also inspect cargo stored and abandoned in the port area and in the industrial hub. “Even if the terminal does not deal with dangerous products, we are going to carry out a load of stored cargo, cleared, but not removed”, he explains.

Four teams must conduct the daily survey in two finishes in the morning and two in the afternoon. The groups must have members of the Army, Ibama, SPA, Federal Revenue, Antaq, ANPT, Cetesb, Civil Defense, Anvisa, and Navy when necessary.

“It does not mean that the Port of Santos is at risk, because the control is well done, both by the SPA (port authority) and the Army and by the IRS. This scan will be to inspect products that pass through Santos, and how the terminals are handling, storing, and transporting them”, explains Ana.

Ibama inspectors from other Brazilian states must monitor the activities in Santos. “We are in a time of restrictions and it is not so comfortable for people to come to the operation. Everyone is looking to come and participate. It will serve as a pilot for operations in other ports. They [inspectors] are going to be propagators, joining the Army, Navy and regional authorities to develop this in other locations ”, concludes Ana Angélica.

Sources: G1 and Santa Portal

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