Santos and Ningbo-Zhoushan to study offshore soybean transshipment

The Santos Port Authority (APS), which manages Brazil’s largest public port, signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Ningbo-Zhoushan Port on Monday, July 20, to study offshore transshipment operations for Brazilian soybeans.

The proposed system would allow soybean cargo loaded at Santos to be transferred at sea from smaller bulk carriers to Capesize vessels capable of carrying more than 150,000 metric tons.

The largest bulk carriers currently able to berth at Santos carry around 80,000 metric tons. Offshore transshipment could therefore lower freight costs by allowing larger vessels to be used for the long-haul journey.

The model could also shorten turnaround times, as the smaller ships transporting cargo from the terminal to the offshore transfer point would be able to return to Santos more quickly for another load.

Under the agreement, Santos and Ningbo-Zhoushan will establish a bilateral working group to exchange information and assess the technical feasibility of the proposed operation.

Ningbo-Zhoushan is the world’s largest port by cargo tonnage, handling more than 1.4 billion metric tons a year.

Source: Porto de Santos

Sharing is caring!