In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, we were responsible for transporting the record amount of 1.11 million tons of fuel oil exported by Petrobras in May. This volume exceeds the previous best result by 10%, attained in February 2020. The record, reached during a challenging moment for the world’s economy, is not the only one. The Angra dos Reis (Tebig) and Suape (PE) terminals also exhibited historic operational performance during the same period.
“We operate an essential activity and that makes the challenge even greater in the midst of a health crisis like the one we are facing. In this scenario, only the dedication and competency of our teams, together with our safety and health protocols, could achieve such important results”, highlighted company President Cristiane de Marsillac.
Geared to the international market, OCEX (export fuel oil) is higher as a function of the search internationally for solutions with low sulfur content. In addition to increase in demand, the greater integration between the scheduling areas of Transpetro and Petrobras and use of solutions geared to operational efficiency contributed to the record.
At Transpetro, the OCEX is exported from the Santos (SP), São Sebastião (SP), Ilha D’Água (RJ), Madre de Deus (BA), Suape (PE) and eventually, Angra dos Reis (RJ) terminals.  Santos, Ilha D’Água and Madre de Deus are logistics options since they are close to the main producers of this product in the country: the refineries of Vale do Paraíba (Revap/SP), Planalto Paulista (Replan/SP), Duque de Caxias (Reduc/RJ) and Landulpho Alves (Rlam/BA).
The São Sebastião and Suape terminals are authorized to handle fuel oil by means of transshipment operations (product transfer from one vessel to another without using the unit tanks), which allows for export using higher capacity vessels.
Incidentally the Suape Waterway Terminal also registered record product handling in the same month, with OCEX one of the main products on the list. It attained the mark of 2.2 million cubic meters, surpassing the previous mark of 2.1 million cubic meters.
At Angra, the terminal teams executed 41 vessel operations, highest number in 43 years of activity, ensuring delivery of oil exported by Petrobras to countries such as China and India.
“These records are the result of the detailed work we have executed in the terminals, according to our strict safety procedures. It involves the integration of scheduling, control and operation areas, and highly specialized teams. They are extremely important results that showcase our efficiency, including during times of crisis”, states Marcos Benício Antunes, Director of Pipelines and Terminals for Transpetro.