Vale Given Green Light to Resume Operations at Port of Tubarão

A Brazilian appeals court has overturned a ruling ordering mining giant Vale SA to suspend operations at its Port of Tubarão amid environmental concerns.

Namely, Brazil’s Federal Regional Tribunal allowed the company on Monday to resume iron ore and coal operations under the condition that it comes up with a plan to fix the environmental issues at the port within 60 days, Reuters said.

The suspension of activities came on the back of a police investigation that found air and water pollution in the surrounding areas of Vale’s coal and iron docks.

As a result, a temporary suspension of activities was put in place on Vale and ArcelorMittal Brazil’s operations at the port’s ore and coal terminals, paralyzing Vale’s export and import.

Vale said on Monday that the shutdown of the port complex was having a considerable impact on the country’s economy adding that it was investing considerably in environmentally-friendly technology at its facilities.

World Maritime News Staff