The ‘Forced Shipwreck’ Of The Vessel Transporting Vale’s Iron Ore Will Happen Remotely; Navy Ensures No Major Environmental Impact.
The Brazilian Navy confirmed on Saturday, (06/06), that the Merchant Ship Stellar Banner, which ran aground off the coast of Maranhão three months ago while transporting iron ore from Vale to China, will be sunk about 150 kilometers off the Maranhão coast. Petrobras exported 1.11 million tons of fuel oil and set a new record in May.
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Polaris Shipping, the owner of the vessel, decided to sink the unit after reports of structural inspections conducted by representatives of the ship’s classification society, and the “forced shipwreck” will occur with the vessel being operated remotely and receiving support from divers.
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According to the Navy, the ship is already being prepared to prevent environmental damage. Oil residues are being removed, as well as floating objects or contaminants on board.
“The Brazilian Navy, through the DN Command and the Port Authority of Maranhão, will continue to oversee activities together with environmental authorities in the state of Maranhão and other environmental authorities,” the Navy informed in a statement this Sunday.
In addition to the Navy, the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) and the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources (Sema) are monitoring the work.
Last Thursday (4), the Stellar Banner was towed from where it was aground and moved to deeper waters, about 111 km from São Luís.
The investigation into the Stellar Banner was made possible with the vessel’s flotation last week, after the removal, in April, of about 145,000 tons of iron ore that were being transported by the South Korean ship.
At that time, approximately 3,900 cubic meters of oil had also been removed from the vessel.

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