Matanzas supertanker base

Havana, January 13 (RHC) The actions undertaken at the Matanzas supertanker base after a fire broke out in its premises last August will make it possible to recover the lost storage capacity of 200,000 cubic meters within four years, according to the investment specialist Liber Sams Toledo, who said that the steps to restore the first of the four damaged tanks will begin this month.

Liber Sams Toledo said that the connection of the first tank marks the start of the second stage of the recovery of this section of the so-called industrial zone of the city of Matanzas. 

To build the new structure, which is expected to be completed in 16 months, there is a specialized force and the required materials and supplies are available, he assured. 

The investments for the integral recovery of the enclave include 14 work objects, among them the completion of interconnections with the docks, the construction of the tanks and the new testing laboratory, as well as resizing of the electrical system and the rehabilitation of the maintenance workshops, with new mechanical, electrical units.

The land will be leveled to meet the required demand and, once the base with its foundations has been built, the mechanical assembly of the tank will begin, which is expected to take place in April.

According to the specialist, the connection of the first tank marks the start of the second stage of the recovery, after concluding the demolition phase of the damaged objects and buildings, and the clean-up of the contaminated areas.

He assured that the distance between tanks will be about 110 meters, almost four times greater than the previous one. Another significant difference is related to the containment basin or dike, which will be larger than the tank capacity, so in case of a spill, all the crude oil will be concentrated there.

This dike will be built with concrete-lined earth, a quality that prevents the collapse of this structure when it is hit by fire.

It is also distinguished by the fact that it will have more powerful foam cannons and a new position for firefighters in case of emergency, established at a greater distance from the vessel.

Matanzas supertanker base

Engineer Rigel Rodriguez, director of the Territorial Fuel Marketing Division, pointed out that the purpose is to achieve more resistant projects in which all the systems interlock and show vitality in the face of accidents of any nature.

He mentioned that communications services were definitively reestablished, but not electricity and water, issues that have temporary solutions and will require investments to reach maximum demand.

A few weeks ago, construction began on the outskirts of the city, in a nearby area that used to be the Enrique Hart high school, on 26 prefabricated Sandino-type houses with zinc roofs for the benefit of the affected families, and nine of them will be delivered before the end of January, and the rest by the end of March. (Source: JR newspaper)