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After almost two years at a standstill, the giant ship NM Luiz, formerly São Luiz, was removed from the Port of Rio de Janeiro in an operation that lasted four and a half hours, and was successfully completed.
A long and challenging process ends with the departure of NM Luiz
The undocking of the giant ship NM Luiz, carried out on the morning of Sunday, October 13, was a complex operation that involved multiple port agents, four azimuth tugboats, and the use of specialized teams, under the coordination of PortosRio and Pilotage-RJ. The ship, which had remained docked at Port of Rio de Janeiro since 2022, he was finally able to continue his journey towards Turkey, ending a long period of immobilization due to legal and technical complications.
The episode that kept the ship stationary for so long began with a collision involving the Rio Niteroi bridge, in 2022. The vessel was tied up in a legal dispute that made it difficult to remove it from the port. Only after being auctioned off by the Turkish shipowner Shipping Route, it was possible to begin preparations for its departure. These preparations included repairs to the ship's structure and the implementation of a series of safety procedures to ensure that its departure could be carried out without endangering local maritime traffic and the environmental integrity of the Guanabara's Bay.
The operation to remove NM Luiz was a success
The operation began at 7:11 a.m., with the movement of the vessel precisely coordinated by the responsible teams. Four azimuth tugs played a key role in ensuring that the ship could be removed safely, despite the inherent difficulties of the maneuver. The unmooring was completed at 30:XNUMX a.m., when the NM Luiz crossed the port polygon, thus ending his prolonged stay in Rio de Janeiro.
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A PortosRio highlighted the success of this operation, which, in addition to ending a delicate situation for the port, demonstrated the entity's ongoing commitment to the safety and efficiency of its maritime operations. Pilotage-RJ, responsible for technical support for ship maneuvers, was also fundamental to the success of the withdrawal.
The ship, now under new management, will continue its route to Turkey, where it will be integrated into the fleet of the Turkish shipowner that acquired it.
A lawsuit that delayed removal
The prolonged stay of the NM Luiz No. Port of Rio de Janeiro was a direct result of a legal dispute that lasted for more than a year. In 2022, the ship was involved in an accident when it collided with the Rio Niteroi bridge, causing damage to the structure and the vessel. Following this incident, the vessel was seized and subjected to legal proceedings that prevented its immediate removal from the port.
O auction of the ship was the solution found to resolve the impasse. After months of negotiations, the vessel was auctioned off to the Turkish shipowner Shipping Route, who took on the commitment of preparing NM Luiz for his journey to Turkey. During this period, the Shipping Route implemented a series of safety procedures and structural repairs to ensure that the ship could leave the port without causing disruption to maritime traffic in the region.
Preparations to ensure a safe exit
Before undocking, the NM Luiz underwent a series of technical and structural adjustments to ensure that its removal from the port occurred safely and without impacting the environment. The port and the Pilotage-RJ worked together with experts to assess all risks and develop a plan that would ensure the integrity of operations in Guanabara's Bay.
This preparation phase included a complete review of the vessel’s systems, as well as careful planning of the exit routes from the port. The operation involved not only the coordination of four azimuth tugs, but also detailed analysis of weather and sea conditions to ensure that the timing of the evacuation was as safe as possible.
A PortosRio, the body responsible for coordinating the port's activities, stressed that the success of the operation is a reflection of its commitment to safety and environmental preservation. Removing a vessel of this magnitude after a long period of inactivity requires precision and experience, and PortosRio assured that all precautions were taken to avoid any incidents.
Environmental consequences avoided
A Guanabara's Bay, one of the most important ecosystems of Brazil, was one of the main concerns during the preparations for the departure of NM Luiz. As part of the risk mitigation efforts, environmental impact studies were carried out and preventive measures were implemented to ensure that the movement of the ship did not result in pollution or damage to the local ecosystem.
The operation was conducted in accordance with the strictest environmental regulations, with constant monitoring throughout the process. PortosRio and Pilotage-RJ ensured that the vessel was in full sailing condition, thus minimizing the risk of oil spills or other environmental incidents.
The strategic role of PortosRio and Pilotage-RJ
A PortosRio, responsible for managing the Port of Rio de Janeiro, was fundamental to the success of the operation. With extensive experience in coordinating port operations, the entity ensured that all details were meticulously planned to avoid any setbacks. From mobilizing the tugboats to supervising the specialized teams, PortosRio played an essential role.
In turn, the Pilotage-RJ, the organization responsible for the technical management of vessel maneuvers in Guanabara Bay, ensured that the plan was executed accurately. The involvement of highly experienced pilots ensured that the maneuver was carried out with maximum safety.
Impact on the port sector in Rio de Janeiro
the removal of NM Luiz not only resolved a legal issue that had been dragging on for almost two years, but also opened up space for the port to continue its activities without restrictions. The ship's prolonged stay had created a bottleneck in port operations, impacting the flow of goods and the use of port facilities.
Now, with the ship released, the Port of Rio de Janeiro can fully resume its operations, ensuring greater efficiency in the flow of cargo and the transit of vessels. This removal also highlights the importance of efficiency in port operations, which are vital for maritime trade and the economic development of the region.
the exit of NM Luiz do Port of Rio de Janeiro represents the end of a legal and logistical saga that lasted almost two years. The operation was a success thanks to effective coordination between the PortosRio, Pilotage-RJ and the specialized teams involved. In addition to resolving a legal issue, the removal of the ship reaffirms the port's commitment to safety and environmental preservation.
Portos e maritime operations Complex operations like this reinforce the importance of efficient management, both for the flow of goods and for the protection of local ecosystems. The success of the operation, which was widely praised, serves as an example of good practices for other ports around the world.
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