In Recent Months, The Amazon Has Been Targeted by Groups That Managed to Steal 4 Million Liters of Fuel From Vessels, Says ICl and IBP

In The Face Of The Complex Web Of Challenges Presented By The Theft Of Fuels From Vessels In The Amazon, Coordinated Actions, Engagement Between Sectors And Effective Legislative Measures Emerge As Essential Pieces To Reverse This Alarming Situation And Ensure The Integrity Of Logistical Operations And The Safety Of Communities That Depend On These Vital Resources.

The Amazon region has been the stage for a series of fuel thefts, with about 4 million liters diverted from vessels in the last 18 months. Organized criminal groups have operated to loot these essential products, vital for both supplying cities and generating electricity in areas disconnected from the national grid. This alarming information was revealed through a study conducted by the Instituto Combustível Legal (ICL) in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas (IBP). Both institutions are mobilized to suppress this criminal activity and advocate for the implementation of coordinated actions by security forces to effectively combat crimes in the region.

Vessels In The Amazon Region Suffer Theft Of 4 Million Liters Of Fuels In 18 Months

With its impressive 6,571 kilometers in length, the Amazon River is a crucial waterway, considered a natural route for transporting various products.

Annually, approximately 11 billion liters of fuels are traded in this area.

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However, the transport of goods in the region faces significant challenges due to the precarious security situation.

Valéria Lima, Executive Director of Downstream at IBP, highlights the complexity of the security issue on the Amazon River, which encompasses not only the transport of fuels but also affects passenger vessels.

She explains that fuels are frequent targets for organized crime due to their use in various sectors, such as aviation and illegal mining.

However, she emphasizes that it is crucial to understand the impact of this on society as a whole, highlighting that cargo theft is a concern that goes beyond petroleum derivatives.

In response to this critical scenario, the ICL and IBP are proposing a series of initiatives to curb criminal practices.

Among the proposed strategies, the integration of intelligence data between relevant authorities and regulatory agencies is highlighted.

Additionally, the creation of specialized task forces to combat crimes in the region is seen as an essential measure.

Together with the implementation of stricter laws and strengthening the resources of regulatory forces.

Recently, these entities held an event in Brasília to discuss these measures and raise awareness of the urgency of the problem.

The IBP board emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the productive sector and national security forces.

According to them, security is a shared responsibility, and all sectors must unite to face this growing challenge.

Instituto Combustível Legal And Brazilian Institute Of Oil And Gas Join Forces To Combat Crimes In The Amazon And Propose Security Measures

While awaiting the implementation of structural measures to contain the problem, transport companies have turned to private security services to protect their river convoys.

The ICL and IBP have developed a guiding manual to assist companies that choose to hire armed escorts.

Carlo Faccio, director of the ICL, highlights that these actions have already contributed to reducing the number of incidents.

Until July of this year, there were nine attempted thefts, with three cases actually completed, one of which resulted in the recovery of the cargo shortly after the theft.

In the previous year, the same nine attempts were recorded, but seven thefts were completed.

However, private security also incurs additional costs for companies and increases the risk of violent confrontations during thefts, including possible shootouts and fuel spills in rivers.

The president of the ICL, Emerson Kapaz, warns that the entities have been informing authorities for months about the severity of fuel diversions.

He highlights that this issue has been the subject of several meetings with representatives from the federal government, aiming to establish commitments between the sector and authorities to build partnerships to combat this practice.

Kapaz also emphasizes the importance of the National Congress in addressing this problem.

He mentions the progress of a bill dating back to 2017 that aims to define the crimes of theft, robbery, and receiving products from production units, storage facilities, and pipelines while increasing penalties.

The intention is to expand the scope of the project to include additional transport modalities, including waterway transport.