Posted on September 9, 2026
The project is being developed by Grupo Arara Azul and is awaiting a specific document to proceed. The Preliminary License has already been obtained, and the expectation announced on September 4 is to receive the Installation License between September and October.
According to Petronotícias, the investment is equivalent to about US$ 156 million, with operations expected to start by the end of 2028.
The Business Brazil Has Yet to Master
Decommissioning is the final phase in the life cycle of an oil platform. When a field is depleted, the unit needs to be disconnected, towed away, cleaned, and dismantled, with materials sorted for recycling or appropriate disposal.
Brazil has dozens of units reaching this stage, a result of the maturity of the Campos Basin. Still, much of this service is often conducted abroad or in a fragmented manner, lacking a dedicated hub.
The cost of letting this opportunity slip away is significant. A dismantled platform generates thousands of tons of steel for recycling, along with recoverable equipment, and all this value circulates where the dismantling takes place.
This is the market that Terminal Nova Holanda aims to capture. The choice of Espírito Santo is not accidental: the state lies between the Campos Basin and the Espírito Santo Basin, and already has an established offshore service chain.
The Physical Advantage of the Chosen Site
The terminal offers a natural depth of 10.5 to 12.5 meters in sheltered waters. These two words are immensely significant in a port project.
Natural depth means existing depth that does not rely on dredging. This eliminates one of the most expensive and time-consuming aspects of any port construction and reduces the need for heavy maintenance dredging.
Sheltered waters, in turn, mean less exposure to waves and wind. In a dismantling operation, where massive structures may remain beside the dock for months, this stability is a requirement rather than a convenience.
