American P&I Club has issued an alert to inform interested parties on how the flooding in the southern region of Brazil has impacted port operations.
As American P&I Club informs, flooding in the southern region of Brazil has affected port operations at Rio Grande, resulting in navigational hazards including swift currents of more than five knots .The flood waters have drained into the Patos Lagoon and ultimately into the bar channel of Rio Grande, a critical passageway for grain, fertilizer, and container terminals.
Furthermore, due to safety concerns, the local maritime authorities, in agreement with local harbor pilots, have decided to restrict all vessel maneuvers to daylight hours only.
Berthing maneuvers for panamax-sized vessels calling at the three operative grain terminals – Teragrasa, Bianchina, and Bunge – will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, considering ships’ particulars, currents, wind force, drafts, and mooring plans.
The Tecon container terminal, Yara fertilizer terminal, Braskem chemical terminal, and the commercial pier will continue to operate normally.
Berthing operations have been temporarily restricted to vessels with a maximum draft of 42 feet (12.8 meters). Operators are advised to inform vessel Masters that, due to the heavy rains, the dock water density is presently considered equivalent to that of fresh water, impacting the quantity of cargo a vessel may load.
This draft restriction was agreed upon with the port authority and the managers of the grain terminals to keep operations running, subject to the weather and current conditions at the channel.
This may force vessels to remain idle at the berth after loading completion, but the intent is to keep the terminals open with some reduction in cargo throughput.
