Brazilian state-owned oil firm Petrobras has announced a temporary halt to bunkering operations in Rio Grande. The suspension, effective immediately, is a direct consequence of severe weather conditions, specifically a tropical storm that impacted the city. Winds exceeding 100 km/h caused significant damage to local infrastructure and led to a power outage at the Rio Grande Terminal, which is crucial for loading bunker barges.
For freight forwarders and vessel operators, this means that ships calling at Rio Grande will be unable to refuel at this port. This could necessitate rerouting to alternative bunkering locations, potentially causing delays and increased operational costs. Forwarders should advise their clients to factor in this disruption when planning vessel schedules and fuel procurement for routes involving the southern Brazilian coast.
