The ship recycling market in Brazil - The Amazon potential

摘要

Despite the considerable Brazilian coastline and vast water transportation cargo and passenger capacity, Brazil currently does not have a satisfactory amount of research aimed at ship recycling markets, especially in the Amazon region. This study aims to characterize this market in Brazil through research and data filtering related to national vessel fleets. Fleet data were obtained from the National Agency of Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ). Quantitative spatialization of the fleet was based on geostatistical distribution that show the current state of this market potential in the country. According to the ANTAQ database, in Brazil, there are approximately 3.8 million tons of steel that are suitable for dismantling, and this steel is distributed among 5319 vessels. There is no disposal plan for these vessels, which can result in environmental and social harm, and creates business opportunities. In this research, the great potential of this market was characterized to contribute, under socially and environmental optics, to the better organization of this sector in the country. Today 36% of existing vessels in the country have been operating for more than 20 years, and operation is concentrated in two major poles: the first is in the north, which is influenced by the city of Manaus (Amazon Region), and the second is in the state of Rio de Janeiro which is influenced by the offshore market. Based on the total amount of lightweight (LDT) and the number of vessels, both that could be potentially considered for decommissioning, this research shows the Brazilian market has global potentiality to attract and retain the ship recycling industry.