Porto Central and Equinor: transshipment operations

By Rafael Bortoloti

Porto Central and Equinor have finalized a contract for oil transshipment operations at the port’s liquid bulk terminal using the Ship-to-Ship (STS) model. The facility, located in Presidente Kennedy at the southernmost tip of Espírito Santo, is set to begin operations in December 2027 after three years of construction.

Positioning itself as a “diversified energy hub,” Porto Central is expected to transfer around 1 million barrels of oil per day. The terminal will accommodate large vessels, including VLCCs and Suezmax.

“This contract is highly significant for both Equinor and Porto Central. It’s also worth noting that the terminal recently signed a similar agreement with a subsidiary of
CNOOC International and renewed its decommissioning and recycling services contract with M.AR.S. Little by little, it’s becoming a major player,” says Daniel Buckley, Chartering Manager at WSB and tanker expert.