Porto do Açu Oil Terminal Gets Ready for VLCCs

Brazil’s Porto do Açu Oil Transhipment Terminal in Rio de Janeiro is on the path of accommodating larger vessels as the depth of its access channel will be increased to 24.5 meters by the end of 2017.

At its current depth of 20.5 meters, the terminal’s access channel is capable of receiving Suezmax type vessels. Following the deepening project, Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) will be able to sail through the channel to the oil transhipment terminal.

Açu Petróleo S.A., a joint venture company of Prumo Logística S.A. and Oiltanking Gmbh, awarded the EUR 120 million (USD 127.1 million) expansion project to Netherlands-based maritime infrastructure maintenance firm Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis).

The works at the terminal will include deepening, widening and extension of the access channel and turning basin.

Boskalis said that the expansion works will start immediately and are expected to be completed in late 2017.