Under the agreement, PAI will invest US$ 10 million in the Port of Açu S.A., a subsidiary of Prumo and responsible for the operation of the Multicargas Terminal (T-MULT) and rental of areas in the port complex. For the investment, the company will hold 1.176% of the capital stock of Port of Açu, in addition to having 1 seat on the board of directors of the subsidiary. The document also provides for the option of investing another US$ 10 million in up to 18 months, increasing the participation of the PAI to 2.352%.
For José Magela, CEO of Prumo, the partnership confirms the great attractiveness of Port of Açu. “This partnership is the union of experience and knowledge in the operation and development of an Port-Industry Complex with the efficiency and opportunities offered by Port of Açu,” said the executive.
“We chose to invest in Port of Açu, among other ports, due to its strategic location near oil and gas fields, as well as being in the southeast region – the main economic area of the country. In addition, Açu is an example of a successful and already operational private port, developed by a reliable partner with a focus on sustainability. Finally, it is a unique opportunity for the PAI to participate in the development of a port, while at the same time increasing Antwerp’s position in Latin America, making it the preferred port for the continent, “said Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO Of the Port of Antwerp.
PAI is a subsidiary of the Port Authority of Antwerp and was created to participate and invest in overseas ports and projects related to ports in strategic regions such as Brazil. The Port of Antwerp is among the largest in the world. Moves 210 million tons in international shipping and has a total area of 120 km². Currently, Brazil is the 6th largest trading partner of the port of Antwerp, with about 6.4 million tons of freight exchanged annually.
Port of Açu
The Port of Açu, located in São João da Barra (RJ), has 90 km², divided into two terminals: Terminal 1 (T1 – offshore terminal) and Terminal 2 (T2 – onshore terminal), as well as area for development of industrial and logistical clusters related to the maritime sectors. In 2016, Açu was the eighth private cargo handling terminal in the country (Antaq data). The number represents a milestone for the enterprise that, in 2015, was in 15th position.
The T1 is dedicated to the movement of iron ore and oil. In operation since October 2014, the terminal exports iron ore to Anglo American and moved 16 million tons in 2016. In this terminal is also located the OilTerminal (T-OIL), in partnership with the german Oiltanking, already in operation and has the capacity to move 1.2 million barrels of oil per day. With current 21 meters of depth, and expansion in progress for up to 25 meters, the terminal can receive vessels capesizes and VLCCs.
The T2 is a terminal with canal for navigation with 6.5 km of extension, 300 meters of width and until 14.5 meters of depth. Companies TechnipFMC, NOV, InterMoor, Wartsila, Edison Chouest and BP Prumo (a joint venture of Prumo with BP, which sells marine fuel) are already operating their units in the terminal. In addition, it is also in this terminal that the Multicargas Terminal is located, with capacity to move 4 million tons per year (between solid bulk and general cargo). Currently, the terminal already carries out the movement of bauxite, pet coke, coal and general cargo, among others.
