Brazil's Suape port in Pernambuco state received 12,500t LPG, which will supply the country's northeast.
The deal was made by trading firm Interco, via shipping company Transportadora Gas del Sur (TGS). This is the largest import to Brazil's private sector ever and the biggest LPG cargo received in Suape's history. The record-sized cargo signals a step away from state-owned Petrobras' tight grip on the sector.
This is the first LPG shipment of many that Interco expects to import during the first six months of 2023. The company's executive director Nicholas Taylor says the firm will import 60,000t to Brazil in the period "by both road and sea."
"This import model is important to reduce risks of LPG shortage, which occasionally occurs in our country", said Interco's commodities director Marcos Paulo Ferraz.
The vessel Eco Arctic carrying the LPG departed from Argentina and berthed at Suape on 6 January. A ship-to-ship operation will transfer the cargo to the BW Princess tanker, which is anchored at the Suape port to allow LPG discharge.
