Unified Strategy to Combat Fuel Theft in Waterways in Northern Brazil

ICL Proposes Strengthening Intelligence and Monitoring to Confront 'River Pirates'

The Legal Combustível Institute (ICL) will propose closer collaboration between the public and private sectors to strengthen surveillance and intelligence on the waterways of northern Brazil. This action comes in response to the increasing theft of fuel by “river pirates”, which result in losses estimated at R＄ 100 million per year.

Public-Private Collaboration and Technology in Debate

The president of ICL, Emerson Kapaz, will have the opportunity to present this proposal during the conference “Security in the Northern Waterways”. This conference will be held in Brasília, on June 28, in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Oil and Gas (IBP). Kapaz will participate in the opening session and will moderate the panel “Integration of the performance of public entities in the promotion of security and financing of cutting-edge technology”.

Driving Innovation and Knowledge Sharing

During the event, ICL will also focus on the importance of innovation and knowledge sharing to ensure the safety of cabotage transport, considered the most suitable for the waterways of the Amazon and Solimões rivers due to its length and structure.

INDUSTRY AND TRADE – FREE MARKET

Another key issue to be debated is the strengthening of security institutions for more effective enforcement of waterways and the strengthening of laws to penalize criminal activities.

The Scale of the Fuel Theft Problem

In the last two years, fringe groups have stolen more than 4,5 million liters of fuel, of which nearly 600 liters of diesel were stolen last year alone.

“This large-scale theft threatens the operation and supply of machines, gas stations and even thermoelectric plants, and may cause a lack of inputs for energy generation, essential for regional socioeconomic development”, analyzes Kapaz.

Armed Escort and Other Defensive Measures

ICL recognizes the need for armed escorts to protect vessels from potential assault. In addition, it is promoting a Manual of Good Practices for the Protection of River Convoys Transporting Fuels to help companies and carriers defend against these criminal groups.

Conclusion

Kapaz emphasizes the need for preventive measures to prevent the action of criminal groups. “It is not enough to normalize the private armed guard system; we need structured inspection, with real-time monitoring and immediate repression of practices that so harm companies and the population that depend on energy and fuel”, concludes Kapaz. These efforts will serve to reduce robberies on vessels in the northern region, benefiting not only the fuel sector, but also other sectors of the national economy, such as agriculture and electronics.

Credits: Renata Castro