Port of Itaqui performed 1st ship-to-ship transfer test for fuels

On Wednesday, July 12, the Port of Itaqui witnessed the first ship-to-ship transfer of liquid bulk cargo operations by Transpetro. The simulation, which took place at Berth 106, involved the vessels Flagship, from the United States, and Nave Atria, which came from Belém, Pará state.

The test aims to demonstrate the safety of the operation to the authorities responsible for authorizing this type of activity in the Maranhão-based public port. Ship-to-ship operations are a maneuver between ships that can occur both in the open sea (underway) and in port areas, with ships docked (double banking).

Ship-to-ship transfers boost port activities as it streamlines port operations and is used worldwide. “The Port of Itaqui has three berths that handle fuels, and by enabling this operation, we can double the capacity with a smaller investment than, for example, building a new berth. Besides, we can achieve faster delivery and higher productivity levels. It is undoubtedly a milestone for our port!” said Gilberto Lins, the president of EMAP.

“This type of operation is carried out in other terminals, such as Suape and Angra, and the benefits it brings to these ports are evident. That’s why it is a milestone to conduct this test in Itaqui. Now, we will wait for the approval of ANP to start operating, and we will certainly gain a lot in productivity, always prioritizing safety and the environment”, said Gerson Melo, general manager of operations at Transpetro.

Fuel hub

The Port of Itaqui is one of Brazil’s most important channels for receiving and distributing petroleum products in Brazil. It receives diesel, gasoline, aviation fuel, cooking gas (liquefied petroleum gas), and marine fuel (MGO) from other countries and also from other states of the country.

Fuels arrive by ship, and some go to distributors who supply gas stations in several states by rail and road. Another part is transferred to feeder vessels to other ports on the Brazilian coast, such as Fortaleza, Belém, and Itacoatiara.

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