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Tug and aircraft carrier still waiting off Pernambuco

Three weeks have passed since the 'Alp Centre' with the aircraft carrier 'São Paulo' returned to Pernambuco, after Turkey blocked its import and the Brazilian Environmental Agency IBAMA required its return, and the convoy was stationary 12 miles off the coast of the state as of Oct 28, while both the Brazilian Navy and IBAMA failed to demand and provide a safe haven to prevent potential harm to the marine environment. Alarmed by the presence of toxic materials within the structure of the 'São Paulo', the State Environment Agency (CPRH) of Pernambuco denied the docking of the hulk at the Port of Suape. Several other Brazilian facilities approached by SOK, the vessel’s owner, likewise refused to temporarily host the vessel due to an alleged lack of available berths or technical capacity. The ship reached its current position on Oct 5, per instructions by the Directorate of Ports and Coasts of the Brazilian Navy which ordered the vessel to be inspected in the maritime waiting area by a Salvage Master company, contracted by SOK, in order to verify its integrity. Accordingly, AWS Service performed inspections on Oct 12 and Oct 14, and concluded that, due to degradation and structural damages as a result of environmental influences, the immediate mooringis recommended for structural repairs, to avoid the expansion of damage and the possible loss of stability for a long period at sea.

ALP Centre with aircraft carrier São Paulo off Recife

The Brazilian aircraft carrier 'São Paulo', ex-French 'Foch', being towed by the 'ALP Centre', and was on Oct 5 off the state of Pernambuco. The ship had left Rio de Janeiro on August 4, was to be demolished in Aliaga, but had finally turned around on Sep 4 and was to return to Rio de Janeiro, with an ETA as of Oct 2. The convoy turned around on Sep 30, after being denied access to Guanabara Bay, where Rio de Janeiro is located. The 'São Paulo' is now off the coast of the state of Pernambuco, heading towards Suape, about 40 kilometers south of Recife and was at about 21 km from the port on Oct 5.

Convoy expected back in Rio de Janeiro on Oct 4

After being banned from entering Turkish territorial seas, the former aircraft carrier ‘São Paulo’, under tow of the 'Alp Centre', is expected back in Rio de Janeiro on Oct 4 now. On Sep 19, the two ships are near Cape Verde in the Atlantic Ocean. After the ships had arrived in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar, they changed its course back after the Turkish government revoked authorization for the decommissioned aircraft carrier to be dismantled by the company Sok Denizcilikve Tic. The Ministry of the Environment required documents from the Brazilian government that listed the amount of toxic substances on the ship, including asbestos. Days later, IBAMA, the Brazilian environmental authority, also demanded the return of ‘São Paulo’ to Brazil.For now, the fate of the 'São Paulo' after arriving in Brazil is uncertain.