(ACU PORT, Brazil) (April 9) — Prumo has today announced the signing of a rental agreement with U.S. company Edison Chouest, which is going to build an offshore logistics support base and ship repair yard for its own vessels at Açu Port. Able to receive up to 12 vessels and serving the current clients of Edison Chouest, the base will be constructed at T2 (the venture's onshore terminal), which has a 13 km wharfline and 10m draught and which serves the oil and gas sector.
“We are embarking upon a new stage at Açu Port, with the pace of the works being resumed, favorable financing conditions secured and a new management team at the helm. Plants are already in operation and vessels are forecast to begin using the T2 channel in the coming months. Edison Chouest's arrival will contribute to an acceleration in the occupation of the landside yard near T2 channel. An offshore support base of the size that Chouest is going to build will represent an important anchor which will attract the entire chain of marine goods and services for the oil exploration industry to set up at Açu Port. This agreement reinforces our clients' confidence and the importance of the venture to the oil and gas sector," said Eduardo Parente, Prumo CEO.
Gary Chouest, the CEO of Edison Chouest Offshore, said Açu has the best conditions for constructing offshore bases in Brazil. “In addition to its strategic location near Campos Basin and its excellent draught, Açu Port is ready and has an area available in the surroundings, which makes it possible to expand our plant and bring in a chain of suppliers. These qualities as a whole were fundamental to our choice."
Edison Chouest has signed an agreement to rent an area of 255,200 square meters for the period of 15 years, renewable for three more periods of five years. The 440 meter wharfline can house up to 12 berths. The company can also increase its wharfline by 220 meters within 12 months and a further 220 meters within 18 months, being able to double its capacity and achieve a wharfline of 880 meters, able to house 18 vessels, and an area of up to 510,400 square meters.
“The construction of this base at Açu Port is essential for the expansion plans of Edison Chouest in Brazil. It will enable us to serve our existing clients, but also to expand to serve new contracts that are in negotiation," said Ricardo Chagas, an officer of Edison Chouest.
The plant is set to begin operating at the start of 2015. A total of 900 jobs will be created at the base.
