GMM Safety | 2025-03-17 | Case Incidents |

A large Brazilian-flagged oil tanker, Olavo Bilac, lost control while maneuvering at the Port of Santos on Wednesday night, March 12, 2025, and crashed into a pier and three Brazilian Navy patrol boats.

The incident, which occurred around 11:20 p.m. local time, was caused by a mechanical failure that jammed the vessel’s rudder, preventing it from steering properly.

The 249 meter long Aframax class tanker, which was carrying 50,000 litres of fuel oil, was navigating between the Alemoa 1 and Outeirinhos 1 piers when the problem arose.

Officials from the Port of Santos confirmed that the tanker first struck the pier before colliding with a navy patrol boat, which then crashed into two other moored patrol boats due to their impact.

The patrol boats involved in the collision were identified as Guajara and Guapore, both Grajau class patrol boats and Maracana, a Macae-class patrol boat.

The Grajau class vessels which had a 200-ton displacement, are equipped with two 20mm Oerlikon cannons and a 40mm Bofors cannon, while the Macae class patrol boat, with a 500 ton displacement, carries similar weaponry.

A Brazilian naval officer aboard one of the patrol boats sustained leg injuries in the incident. He was immediately taken to a local hospital for medical attention and was later discharged after receiving treatement.

Meanwhile, tugs secured the tanker and moved it back to the Alemoa 1 pier. A thorough inspection was conducted by the Port Authority of Santos, which found a large scrape on the hull but confirmed that no oil was spilled into the water.

The pier that Olava Bilac struck is controlled by the Brazilian Navy, which has begun an assessment to determine the extent of structural damage.

Officials reported that companies involved in port operations are awaiting clearance from the Navy before they can enter the affected site.

The Olavo Bilac, one of five tankers built by Estaleiro Atlantico Sul (EAS) and operated by Transpetro, was originally scheduled to depart for Rio de Janeiro. However, authorities have detained the vessel in Santos pending further investigation.

Footage from security cameras and onboard recordings has surfaced online, showing the moment the tanker lost control and crashed into the pier and navy vessels.

Investigators are reviewing these videos along with statements from port officials to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure that led to the collision.

The Port of Santos, one of South America’s busiest ports, continues normal operations despite the incident.

References: TWZ, topwar