The Bavand: Crew Feedback and Vessel Data

On July 28, the bulk carrier 'Bavand' encountered a technical issue that postponed its planned departure from Paranagua. The vessel had already been hindered in its journey after Petrobras declined to supply fuel due to concerns about inadvertently violating US sanctions on Iran. A ruling from a Supreme Court judge on July 25 compelled Petrobras to resume fueling operations, which commenced early on July 27. While the 'Termeh' successfully left port en route to Imbituba and reached its destination on July 29, the 'Bavand' experienced a mechanical malfunction and remained anchored at coordinates 25° 29.47' N 048° 27.68' W. The ship was originally scheduled to depart for Paranagua on July 29 after delivering urea to Brazil and was intended to carry corn back to Iran. On August 6 at 10:15 a.m., 'Bavand' re-anchored in Sao Francisco Anchorage. For further details, refer to the report with accompanying photo: https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2019/07/29/mechanical-issue-delays-departure-of-iran-ship-stranded-in-brazil.html.

After nearly 50 days of detention at the Paranaguá port, the two Iranian vessels, 'Bavand' and 'Termeh', are finally making their way back to the Islamic Republic. This release follows a decisive ruling from Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF), which mandated that Petrobras, the national oil company, provide fuel to the ships. The 'Termeh' departed around noon on July 27, 2019, heading to another location off the Brazilian coast to take on a cargo of corn. Later that evening, the 'Bavand', which was already loaded, set sail for Iran with an estimated 50,000 tons of maize onboard. The 'Termeh' is expected to load an additional 60,000 tons, with the total cargo valued at approximately 100 million reais. STF President Minister Dias Toffoli dismissed Petrobras's earlier appeal on July 24, which argued that supplying fuel would expose the company to U.S. sanctions due to the Iranian ownership of the vessels. In his ruling, Toffoli clarified that Eleva Química, the Brazilian firm chartering the ships, was not on any U.S. sanctions list, highlighting that Petrobras’s compliance with the court order would not put them at risk of American penalties. The ruling also underscored potential ramifications for Brazil's trade balance with Iran, a key importer of Brazilian corn, as Iranian authorities had warned of halting imports of corn and other products if Petrobras failed to refuel the ships operated by the Iranian company, Sapid Shipping.