Americas News
Force Majeure in Bunkering Operations Declared Following Fire at Santos Fuel Storage Facility
An ongoing fire at Ultracargo's fuel storage facility at Brazil's Port of Santos has interfered with bunkering operations, Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras) said in an emailed statement.
Petrobras said that due to the fire, which is now past its fourth day, the company is not allowed to load bunker barges, as per the port authority's decision.
It has therefore declared a Force Majeure in bunker operations in Santos.
According to reports, the cause of the fire is unknown, and various vessels calling on the port have already been diverted.
Firefighters have reportedly been focusing on preventing surrounding tanks, which are mostly filled with ethanol or gasoline, from catching fire as well, as there was little they could do until all of the fuel currently burning was consumed.
Last week, operations at the Brasil Terminal Portuario reportedly halted after three loud explosions were heard, setting fire to four tanks.
Since then, the blaze is thought to have caught on to two other tanks.
According to a port authority spokeswoman, only two out of 53 docks have been affected.
Nearby facilities include ones operated by Norway's Stolt-Nielsen Ltd and Transpetro, a subsidiary of Petrobras.
Last month, Petrobras bunker deliveries at the Port of Santos was also temporarily suspended for a few days due to "replenishment" issues.
