Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
8502
Company Name
Tecon Rio Grande S/A.
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
Brazil
Region
Latin America and the Caribbean
Last Updated Date
Jun 3, 2021
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : May 29, 1998
Signed : Dec 14, 1998
Invested : Aug 2, 1999
Sector
Port and Harbor Operations
Industry
Infrastructure
Department
Gbl Infrastructure & Natural Resources
Project Description
Environmental Review Summary (ERS)
Project Name BRAZIL: TECON RIO GRANDE S.A.
Region Latin America
Sector Infrastructure
Project No. 008502
April 16, 1998
1. Tecon Rio Grande is a dedicated container terminal located in the Port of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In February 1997, Tecon Rio Grande S.A. (TRG) was awarded a 25-year lease from the superintendency of ports to operate and expand Tecon. TRG’s shareholders consist of: Wilport Operadores Portuárias S.A., a port services company owned by Wilson, a Brazilian maritime Group; Serveng-Civilsan S.A., a Brazilian construction company; and Stevedoring Services of America, a US-based international port operator.
2. The terminal is located on the western bank of the Rio Grande River, about 5 km north of the Atlantic Ocean and 7 km south of the city of Rio Grande. The leased area comprises 67 hectares, of which 20 hectares have been developed for container handling, and 750 meters of river frontage including an existing 300 meter berth built in 1976. The terminal was converted to exclusively container handling in 1985 and currently handles about one ship per day. The existing operation uses two mobile cranes, tractor-trailers, and container handling forklift trucks in an integrated operation. In addition to road access, the terminal is served directly by rail although the rail spur is presently disused.
3. The purpose of the project is to expand Tecon’s capacity from 80,000 container moves to 200,000 moves per year and to improve the overall efficiency and quality of the terminal’s services. Plans include rehabilitation of the existing rail link to provide intermodal transport. The expansion is in an area formally designated for industrial purposes and other port-related facilities are planned nearby. The project site is uninhabited, and the nearest inhabited area is Barra, about 3 km distant. The new 300 meter container berth will be built as a contiguous extension of the existing berth. A new container stacking area will be constructed, partly on reclaimed land behind the new berth. The project will also include acquisition of new equipment, mainly two post panamax gantry cranes for container unloading, and other support facilities. The new berth and reconfigured stacking area will improve ship turnaround and allow to ships to be worked simultaneously with three cranes.
4. Under Brazilian regulations, a study and report of environmental impact (EIA/RIMA) is required for expansion of ports and terminals that operate with chemical products. An EIA/RIMA for what is today the Tecon expansion project was prepared in 1992 by the government ministry that operated the terminal. The state environmental authority, FEPAM issued an environmental license in January 1993. The project has not materially changed since 1993 and Tecon’s take over of the terminal, except for an approved change in dredged material disposal. Tecon has agreed to abide by the mitigation program presented in the EIA.
5. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor, and the technical appraisal and site review completed by IFC’s Technical and Environment Department staff. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:
· dredging and land reclamation;
· vegetation protection and revegetation programs;
· control of stormwater run-off and protection of water resources;
· liquid effluents, including bilge waste effluent;
· solid waste management;
· handling and storage of dangerous cargoes;
· fire prevention and emergency response; and
· employee health and safety program.
The sponsor engaged an independent environmental consultancy and auditing company to report on these issues and demonstrate the proposed project will comply with applicable governmental and World Bank requirements. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed in the development of the project is summarized in the paragraphs that follow.
6. Maintenance dredging is conducted by the Rio Grande Port Authorities, including the main channel and the area in front of Tecon’s existing berth. Dredging is performed to a depth of about 14 meters, which is adequate for ships up to 40,000 dwt. The port has recently defined a major dredging project including the whole of the port, access channel, and berths. A marine depression located about 6 nautical miles offshore was found to be the best alternative for the discharge of dredged material. For the expansion project, Tecon will reclaim land along the shoreline, and will need to remove the upper soft sediment in order to expedite construction. Dredging will also be required for the new berth. Tecon has made arrangements with the port to take the soft material, and for site fill, the company has identified an area within the channel where the material to be dredged is appropriate.
7. On-land portions of the expansion will take place in areas largely cleared of native vegetation, and which have been used for construction work sites and materials storage. Tecon will establish a vegetated green belt to esthetically integrate the area modified by the terminal with the surrounding scenery and to provide a noise and dust barrier. Tecon will also preserve and maintain the 12 ha grove of eucalyptus trees along the main access avenue that were planted around 80 years ago.
8. Stormwater runoff is currently collected and discharged directly to the river, except for drainage from the designated washing area for truck chassis, forklifts, and other mobile machines, which goes to an oil/water separator. Currently, corrective action (separator box cleaning) is undertaken when visible signs of inefficiency appear. For the expansion project, Tecon will collect runoff from all areas of the site that may be subject to oil contamination and install oil/water separation equipment to meet the World Bank guideline of 10 mg/l. Following reconstruction of the system, sampling and analysis as well as visual surveillance will periodically monitor performance.
9. Centralized sewage treatment is not available in the Port of Rio Grande, and Tecon Rio Grande uses an approved septic drain system for sanitary wastes. The performance of the existing system will be reviewed during detailed design, and it will be modified or expanded as appropriate. Waste water from the cleaning and washing of ship holds is not accepted at the Tecon terminal.
10. Packaging waste, replaced spare parts, used rags, and other inert waste materials are disposed of together with domestic and office garbage; this waste is collected and disposed of through the Rio Grande municipality. Used oil and other recyclable items are collected by third parties for resale.
11. Currently, most containers with dangerous products and all general cargo is landed and handled at nearby SUPRG facilities in the Rio Grande port. Operations at Tecon are exclusively containers, and all containers of dangerous cargoes (only about 1.5% of total cargoes) pass through the terminal without “stripping” (unpacking and separating the cargo into individual shipments). As part of the expansion project the terminal will have a dedicated area and all necessary procedures and equipment for dangerous cargo. In addition, there will be a small warehouse where stripping of containers with chemicals/dangerous cargo will occur.
12. Tecon has an emergency response procedure in place in case of dropped or ruptured cargo containers. If a leaked product is found to be hazardous (based on the manifest) measures are taken for notification of authorities, and handling and decontamination of the spill site. Tecon will update its response plan for the new activities and configurations brought about as part of the expansion. Fire extinguishers, hydrants and hose boxes are currently provided at key locations throughout the terminal; these systems will be extended and upgraded as part of the expansion project. The Port of Rio Grande has primary responsibility for accidents or spills on the waterside, and Tecon cooperates in any response actions. Ship fueling is occasionally conducted when the in-port time is long enough to allow it. The ships make arrangements with the state oil company, Petrobras, for a fuel barge to come alongside on the channel side. Responsibility for fueling safety and spill response is with the ship, Petrobras, and the port.
13. Tecon has a formal plan for medical control and occupational health of its employees as required by Brazilian regulations. Safety training is provided for all employees, with specialized training for operators of machinery such as cranes, forklifts, and trucks. In-house training is provided in fire fighting techniques and equipment, and joint training in fire and emergency response is conducted with port and municipal authorities.
14. Based on its review of available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being designed to meet Government of Brazil requirements, and World Bank policies, and environmental, health and safety guidelines.
15. IFC will monitor Tecon Rio Grande’s ongoing compliance with World Bank policies and guidelines during the life of the project by evaluating monitoring reports submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor and by conducting periodic site reviews during project supervision.
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April 16, 1998 9:39 AM
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
Related SII
