The Tragic End of the Aircraft Carrier São Paulo: Navy Spends Millions to Sink Symbol of Power to the Bottom of the Atlantic

Written by Ana Alice

Published on 02/11/2024 at 14:06

O porta-aviões São Paulo, desativado, foi afundado após meses de impasses. Custo de R$ 37,2 milhões e impacto ambiental geram críticas. (Imagem: Reprodução/Canva)

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The Emblematic Aircraft Carrier São Paulo, of the Brazilian Navy, Was Sunk in the Atlantic After Facing a Series of Diplomatic, Environmental, and Operational Barriers. With a Cost of R$ 37.2 Million, the Operation Sparked Criticism About Asbestos Risks and High Public Spending. The Decision Raised Doubts About the Viability and Sustainability of the Navy’s Actions.

In a surprising and controversial decision, Brazil bid farewell to one of its most emblematic symbols of naval power.

The aircraft carrier São Paulo, the former giant of the Brazilian fleet, ended its days at the bottom of the Atlantic. Sunk in February 2023, at 5,000 meters deep and 350 km off the Brazilian coast, the ship generated a sequence of events involving environmental challenges, diplomatic hurdles, and a million-dollar bill for public coffers.

History and Purchase of the Aircraft Carrier

The São Paulo has a long history that dates back to France in the 1950s, where it was built under the name Foch.

ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW

Sale for Dismantling and Unexpected Costs

In the context of decommissioning, the hull of the São Paulo was sold in 2021 to the Turkish shipyard Sök Denizcilik for R$ 10 million, which planned to dismantle and recycle it in Turkey.

The shipyard, certified for ship recycling, had experience in safe dismantling processes, but an unusual problem arose before the ship’s arrival in the Mediterranean.

According to Portal Grande Porto, Turkish authorities prohibited the entry of the aircraft carrier due to environmental concerns regarding asbestos, a highly carcinogenic material used in its construction.

Diplomatic Impasse and Return to Brazil

Blocked from docking in Turkey, the São Paulo began a aimless journey. The ship returned to Brazil but faced new problems. Brazilian ports also refused to shelter the vessel, exacerbating the situation.

Left with nowhere to leave the São Paulo, the Brazilian Navy was forced to resume responsibility for the hull, and the ship began to drift along the coast of Pernambuco. For six months, the São Paulo sailed with no destination until a final decision was made.

The Environmental Crisis and the Impact of Asbestos

The case sparked intense environmental discussions. Asbestos, widely used in older ships for its insulating properties, became obsolete with technological advances, but still poses a serious health threat.

According to Revista Sociedade Militar, the material is carcinogenic and, when exposed to the environment, can contaminate the marine ecosystem and affect human health. This exacerbated the impasse, forcing the Navy to take drastic measures.

Final Decision: Sinking and High Costs Involved

In February 2023, the Brazilian Navy determined the sinking of the São Paulo in an area deemed safe.

As reported by Portal Grande Ponto, the Navy’s Hydrographic Center indicated a point 350 km off the coast, at more than 5,000 meters deep, to minimize environmental risks.

However, the cost of the operation was surprising: R$ 37.2 million from public coffers was spent to facilitate the process, in addition to the involvement of 298 military personnel, according to the Brazilian Navy.

Costly Operation and Questions Raised

The sale of the São Paulo brought R$ 10 million to the Navy’s coffers, but the total cost of sinking it exceeded that amount by nearly four times.

The logistical complexity and handling of the vessel made the process more expensive than anticipated, raising questions about the effectiveness of the operations and the allocation of resources.

MSK Maritime, the company involved in the transport of the São Paulo, reported losses of up to R$ 10 million, an amount that intensified the debate on the decision to sink the ship.

Environmental Challenges Persist

The episode of the São Paulo raises questions about environmental responsibility in military operations. Asbestos, even at 5,000 meters depth, still poses a risk.

Experts point out that the decomposition of the material on the ocean floor could cause long-term damage to marine flora and fauna.

According to military sources, the sinking area was chosen to minimize this impact, but environmental activists continue to criticize the decision, arguing that a more sustainable solution could have been found.

The final journey of the aircraft carrier São Paulo demonstrates the complexity of the dismantling and recycling processes for large military vessels.

The decision to sink it concludes a 23-year service history in the Brazilian Navy, but raises doubts about the country’s preparedness to address environmental and operational challenges of this scale.

In addition to the million-dollar costs and environmental repercussions, the episode reveals a series of failures and the lack of adequate options for the ship’s fate.

And you, do you think the Navy made the best decision for the fate of the São Paulo, or do you believe that more sustainable alternatives could have been explored?

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Luiz Carlos da costa n7nes

#71624

03/11/2024 22:42

Decisão vc absurda desses almirantes, tendo em vista que a china e Arábia Saudita apresentaram proposta de compra do navio, e assumiram todos os riscos referente ao transporte marítimo e ao tratamento do amianto com toda a segurança, mas esses canalhas almirantes, não concordaram, pois sabiam que em três ou quatro anos esse navio seria apresentado totalmente modernizado e pronto para operação, como aconteceu com o porta aviões que a china comprou da união soviética o modernizou e agora a china já está no seu terceiro porta aviões eletromagnético, isto sim é uma nação seria e marinha seria

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The Tragic End of the Aircraft Carrier São Paulo: Navy Spends Millions to Sink Symbol of Power to the Bottom of the Atlantic

History and Purchase of the Aircraft Carrier

Sale for Dismantling and Unexpected Costs

Diplomatic Impasse and Return to Brazil

The Environmental Crisis and the Impact of Asbestos

Final Decision: Sinking and High Costs Involved

Costly Operation and Questions Raised

Environmental Challenges Persist

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The Tragic End of the Aircraft Carrier São Paulo: Navy Spends Millions to Sink Symbol of Power to the Bottom of the Atlantic

History and Purchase of the Aircraft Carrier

Sale for Dismantling and Unexpected Costs

Diplomatic Impasse and Return to Brazil

The Environmental Crisis and the Impact of Asbestos

Final Decision: Sinking and High Costs Involved

Costly Operation and Questions Raised

Environmental Challenges Persist

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At over 8,800 meters above sea level, the summit of Mount Everest is made up of rocks that originated at the bottom of an ocean about 500 million years ago and were pushed to the highest point on Earth by the collision of tectonic plates.

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