Transpetro Returns to Angra dos Reis: Economy and Jobs Will Come Back Full Steam

Missing Only the Release from INEA, Transpetro Has Authorized Activities at TEBIG and the City Will Gain Revenue of Over 4 Million Per Month

In March 2015, an accident involving 2 ships from Transpetro during an operation known as Ship-to-ship discharged an immense amount of oil into the sea of Angra dos Reis. At the time, the state environmental secretary and institute (INEA) suspended operations of this type in Baia das Ilha Grande.

” It was a politically wrong decision by Secretary Carlos Minc that is now being technically and financially reversed in protection of the state of Rio de Janeiro and the city”, says Fernando Jordão, current mayor of Angra dos Reis.

In addition to the environmental disaster, the accident and consequently the suspension of operations caused significant financial damage to the municipality’s accounts and planning. Just over 2 years after the accident, Transpetro conducted the first test of transshipment operations at the Baia da Ilha Grande terminal (TEBIG).

On Friday morning (12), INEA technicians, representatives from the Brazilian Navy, Mayor Jordão, Vice Mayor Manoel Parente, the Economic Development Secretary, the President of the Chamber and Councilman José Augusto, and Councilman Canindé do Social were present at the terminal.

” The municipality of Angra is going through a very complicated crisis, as is the state and the country. Here we are losing money for the municipality’s revenue. So INEA should grant this release to authorize the resumption of transshipments in the region because it is now safe for the environment. We are here on the ship with all the possible tranquility”, says Councilman Canindé do Social.

The state environmental secretary André Correira did not attend the test: ‘It remains only to say that from the city hall, the environmental secretary, and the Brazilian Navy there are no problems. The issue today is in the hands of INEA, which is present today with its technicians, and unfortunately, Secretary José Corrêa, who should be here due to the operation’s complexity and importance, which involves not only Angra dos Reis. When we talk about the economy, the losses are for the city, for the state of Rio, and for Brazil as a whole, because many ships have stopped coming to Brazil. The taxes like ISS, ICMS, royalties, etc. that complement the city’s income have not been collected”, says Councilman Zé Augusto critically and indignantly.

The test simulated all transshipment operations, that is, the transfer of oil from one ship to another. The municipality recognizes the importance of Transpetro’s presence in Angra, a subsidiary of Petrobras responsible for the operation, for the local economy.

” The municipality will gain around 200 million reais today that will enter the city hall’s coffers, which will generate jobs, resources, and improve the quality of life… Ultimately, this money will be very useful and very well used by the current administration”, says Aurélio Marques, executive secretary of Industry and Commerce, enthusiastically.

If authorized by INEA, the return of this type of operation in Baia de Ilha Grande will represent a significant boost to public funds.

The mayor further adds: ” I want to protect this beautiful bay, but I also want Angra not to lose resources. The city’s money was going to Espírito Santo, São Paulo, and the city was becoming poorer. If we have the terminal here and important old investments from Brazil for Petrobras, it is much cheaper to carry out operations here, in calm and sheltered waters.”

Watch the Video and Authorities Present at the Operation

“This operation is very important for the city because it was carried out through ship-to-ship, which unfortunately environmental agencies have some issues with Angra dos Reis, thus this is one of the reasons I am here accompanying the procedures to ensure it resumes as soon as possible under the name of “Transbordo a Contra Bordo, a super safe operation that will move the economy again and that is what we need. After all, more than 4 million will enter the city’s coffers monthly.” Reiterates Councilman José Augusto.

Contacted by TV Câmara, INEA did not respond to calls or messages. Transpetro, in a statement, declared that it successfully completed all tests at the Angra dos Reis terminal, now depending only on INEA to release the license.

Source:https://goo.gl/6CV8qs

Transcription of the report: TV Câmara