Ana Mano
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – The port of Paranagua, one of Brazil’s busiest for sugar and grain exports, said on Wednesday that one conveyor in its so-called export corridor remained inoperable after labor authorities stopped it due to “risk explosion.”
The Paranagua Export Corridor Terminal Association (Atexp), which includes a group of 10 companies that operate the facility, ships about 20 million tons of grain a year using the structure, according to its website.
A port spokesman told Reuters the broken conveyor belt had not prevented grain exports through the corridor, adding that five of the six belts remained operational.
“Labor Department auditors found serious maintenance problems and excessive dust accumulation that could lead to an explosion,” transportation agent Williams said Wednesday.
Williams added that the order to stop the conveyor could delay the loading of the vessel.
Atexp, whose exporters include Cargill and Louis Dreyfus Company, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Labor Ministry could not be reached for comment. The order to suspend the tape took effect April 1, a port spokesman said.