Delays in ship fueling at the Port of Santos result in R$ 27 million loss

Delays in the fueling of cargo ships have become a chronic issue at the Port of Santos, leading to losses for shipowners that exceed US\$ 5 million (approximately R\$ 27 million). This problem has persisted since 2021.

On the 9th of this month, a ship waited 27 hours for the completion of fuel supply, incurring a total cost of US\$ 36,000 (around R\$ 196,000), with US\$ 30,000 (R\$ 162,000) of that being for double docking fees. These details were provided by the Syndicate of Maritime Shipping Agencies of the State of São Paulo (Sindamar).

Sindamar’s executive director, José Roque, stated that the cost includes “detours (stops at other ports solely for fueling), berth changes in Santos, reduced fuel supply, additional expenses with port infrastructure, tugboats, pilotage etc.”

Roque explained: “The cost of a Tramp ship, which either discharges or loads commodities, is US\$ 35,000 to US\$ 45,000 per day, in addition to fuel costs when the ship, in order to avoid losing its berth at a subsequent port, speeds up to what we call full speed, consuming fuel at a rate three times higher than normal navigation. This procedure is equivalent to a container ship, with a daily cost of US\$ 80,000 to US\$ 100,000”.

The Sindamar's executive director added that the situation got worse with “the reduction in barges when they are taken out of operation for maintenance”.

A sad situation

Roque reported that on the 9th a single ship docked at Ilha Barnabé waited 27 hours for the complete fuel supply, incurring a cost of about US\$ 36,000, which includes the price of the fuel (US\$ 6,000) and double docking fees (US\$ 30,000).

“The ship was ready to receive fuel at 2 a.m. on Tuesday, but the fueling by the first barge only started 11 hours later, delivering 100 tons. The second barge completed the delivery of 350 tons of fuel only at 5 a.m. on Wednesday”.

According to Roque, “the inadequate fueling situation at the Port of Santos is a sad and recurring reality, causing our members to report frequent delays in their schedules. Pressure is constant in interactions with Transpetro and Navemestra, but the challenge has become routine. Although there are occasional improvements in punctuality and communication, they are not frequent”.

Route changes

Roque also mentioned that the members “reveal that some clients cannot complete bunkering (fueling) in Santos due to scheduling issues or a lack of Petrobras products, and are having to serve ships at the ports of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) and Salvador (BA)”.

ANP claims to have “not found” problems at the port

The National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) stated in a note that Sindamar had previously contacted the agency regarding the supply of marine fuel oil at the Port of Santos. “Since then, ANP has intensified contact with Petrobras, the supplier operating at the location, and has not identified any problems with the fueling”, it stated.

ANP says there is no knowledge of any difficulties related to the availability of products in Santos for the fueling of vessels. The agency assures that continues to communicate with Petrobras, which “being a fuel producer is obligated to inform ANP of any issues that might impact product availability”.

No response

Transpetro was contacted but stated that clarifications are the responsibility of Petrobras. Petrobras was also contacted, but did not respond by the time of publication. The Ministry of Mines and Energy was also contacted, but did not provide a response.

Public hearing

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Transportation was scheduled to hold a public hearing to discuss the conditions of maritime fuel supply at the Port of Santos on Wednesday (10), but it was postponed.

According to Federal representative Rosana Valle (PL), the reason for the postponement was the scheduling of a visit by the minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, to the committee. However, he also did not attend that day. A new date is expected to be set later in the “second semester”, according to Rosana.

Representatives from Transpetro and Petrobras, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Sindamar, the Port Authority of Santos (APS) and legislators were invited to participate in the hearing.

The representative highlighted that the losses “reduce the competitiveness of the Port of Santos, increase product costs and harm the national economy”.

She believes, however, that the problem can be resolved. “The lack of operational logistics in the fuel supply at the port complex can be effectively overcome through collaboration and understanding between port authorities, federal government companies and maritime agencies operating at the port. Finding solutions is the objective of the hearing at the committee”, she concluded.