Discover the Boka-Centre: Ratings & Maritime News

As of October 28, the tugboat 'Alp Centre' and the decommissioned aircraft carrier 'São Paulo' have been stranded approximately 12 miles off the coast of Pernambuco for three weeks. This situation arose after Turkey prohibited its import, leading the Brazilian Environmental Agency, IBAMA, to mandate the vessel's return to Brazil. Regrettably, neither the Brazilian Navy nor IBAMA have provided a secure docking solution to mitigate potential threats to the marine ecosystem. Concerned about the hazardous materials on board, the State Environment Agency (CPRH) rejected the hulk's request to dock at the Port of Suape. Efforts by SOK, the owner of the vessel, to find temporary berths at other Brazilian ports were similarly thwarted, citing limited capacity and lack of technical resources. On October 5, the vessel was repositioned per orders from the Directorate of Ports and Coasts of the Brazilian Navy, which directed that inspections by a Salvage Master company be conducted in the maritime holding area to assess the ship's condition. Subsequent inspections by AWS Service on October 12 and 14 revealed significant degradation and structural damages attributed to environmental factors. They strongly recommended that immediate mooring and structural repairs are essential to prevent further damage and maintain the ship's stability.

On October 5, the Brazilian aircraft carrier 'São Paulo', formerly known as the French vessel 'Foch', was sighted being towed by the tugboat 'ALP Centre' near the coast of Pernambuco. The 'São Paulo' embarked from Rio de Janeiro on August 4, with intentions to be decommissioned in Aliaga, Turkey, but the journey took an unexpected turn. After altering its course back towards Rio de Janeiro on September 4, the vessel was expected to reach its destination by October 2. However, after being denied entry into Guanabara Bay on September 30, the convoy reversed direction. As of October 5, the 'São Paulo' was approximately 21 kilometers from the port of Suape, which is situated about 40 kilometers south of Recife, continuing its journey along the Brazilian coastline.

The troubled journey of the decommissioned aircraft carrier 'São Paulo', towed by the vessel 'Alp Centre', is on track for a return to Rio de Janeiro, anticipated on October 4. This follows a significant setback that saw the ship barred from entering Turkish waters. On September 19, the two vessels were last recorded near Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. Their trajectory shifted when they approached the Strait of Gibraltar, only to reverse course after Turkish authorities withdrew permission for the dismantling of the 'São Paulo' by Sok Denizcilikve Tic. Subsequently, Brazil's Ministry of the Environment requested comprehensive documentation detailing the environmental hazards posed by the ship, including hazardous materials such as asbestos. Following this, Brazil's environmental agency, IBAMA, mandated the repatriation of the 'São Paulo'. The next steps for the vessel upon its return to Brazil remain unclear, leaving its future in question.