The project for Expansion and Modernization of the Pemba Ocean Terminal does not present fatal issues that would make its implementation unfeasible. This is, at least, the main conclusion advanced by the environmental pre-feasibility study and definition of scope consulted by “Notícias”.
The work done by a specialized company, called “EnAmbiente”, recommends, however, that environmental studies be continued in order to detail the aspects identified and to establish the necessary measures for reducing negative impacts and maximizing the positive effects.
A few years ago, Petromoc designed the project for the expansion and modernization of the Pemba Ocean Terminal (TOP), aiming, among other objectives, to increase the storage capacity from 7500 cubic meters to 18,000, the construction of a new filling crane composed of three islands, a new ten inch pipeline, exclusively for the reception of diesel and bunker operations, the replacement of the fire fighting system, and the rehabilitation of two tanks with a capacity of 250 cubic meters each for the reception and storage of Jet A-1.
For Petromoc, the implementation of the project is justified by the severity of the degradation of the infrastructure in use for over 30 years, thus making its operational capacity limited, and thus not efficiently meeting the demand for space, culminating in more expensive solutions for the gas stations.
The project is also grounded in the expected increase in hydrocarbon processing in the North region, which is attracting massive foreign investment.
“The objectives to be achieved with the expansion and modernization of the TOP remain the same, with emphasis on the support of offshore operations for exploration and extraction of natural gas in the Rovuma Basin,” stresses the report of the Environmental Pre-Feasibility and Scoping Study (EPDA).
It should be noted that the EPDA is a first approach to the analysis and evaluation of the environmental feasibility of the project, which will be followed by the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) phase, in which the environmental studies will be deepened.
EnAmbiente” considers that, from the global analysis carried out, the main positive impacts foreseen concerning the socio-economic part result from the generation of employment and dynamization of the local economy, especially during the construction phase, which aims at expanding and modernizing the terminal, resulting in the increase of the fuel storage capacity in the Northern region of Mozambique, focusing on its availability and consequent exportation to neighboring countries, which will culminate in the collection of foreign exchange for the country.
