Brazil’s President’s Boat Usage at COP30 Raises Questions
A rental boat, featuring amenities akin to a hotel, is being utilized by Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and his team during the COP30 climate summit. This vessel reportedly consumes over 4,000 liters of diesel fuel, as mentioned in a “Poder 360” report.
The summit is taking place in Belém, Pará, with representatives from over 190 nations discussing climate change solutions until November 21. Lula was present to greet other world leaders upon their arrival at the event venue.
According to state media, speeches from heads of state and global organization leaders will occur on Thursday and Friday. Notably, high-ranking officials from the United States are absent from discussions related to climate change. Lula arrived in Belém on Saturday with his spouse, Rosangela “Janja” Lula da Silva.
The report from Poder 360 states that Lula and his entourage will inhabit the “Iana III,” a boat rented through the Brazilian government. It is owned by a private company, Icotur, specializing in transport and tourism from Manaus.
This three-story ship measures 45 meters long and 8 meters wide, staffed by four crew members along with additional personnel as needed. Passenger facilities are fully air-conditioned. Interestingly, the boat runs on standard diesel fuel instead of biodiesel, which isn’t widely used in the area.
Poder 360 added that the vessel would consume at least 4,000 liters of diesel for a round trip between Manaus and Belém. A journey on the Amazon River typically spans five days, while the return trip is projected to take seven days due to adverse currents. While docked in Belém, the vessel can connect to the electric grid, eliminating the need for diesel fuel.
According to the report, the ship’s engine utilizes 50 liters of diesel per hour. This fuel is among the most environmentally harmful. The ship can travel at speeds between 20 and 30 km/h, with the distance from one capital to the other being approximately 1,650 kilometers. Factoring in the journey durations, diesel consumption is estimated to reach around 4,000 liters.
Poder 360 also indicated that the trip could potentially be completed in just three days, depending on dockings along the way. However, overnight stays are deemed necessary due to safety concerns regarding piracy along the Amazon River, especially at night.
Reportedly, the choice of “Iana III” was made for its spacious accommodations, favoring comfort over the quantity of rooms. Representatives from the nautical tourism sector downplayed claims of luxury, asserting that the boat isn’t as lavish as suggested. Notably, video footage surfaced recently, depicting Brazil’s first lady dancing on the boat.
Furthermore, Poder 360 noted that the typical rental cost per day for the “Iana III” is around 2,647 Brazilian reals (approximately $495) per person. Although the Brazilian Social Communication Secretariat characterized this option as economical compared to standard hotel rates in Belém, no further details regarding alternative lodging were disclosed.
Lula previously expressed his preference to remain on the boat during a visit early in October, emphasizing that he wasn’t seeking luxury.
“I told Janja that I wasn’t going to the hotel either, I was going to sleep on the boat. When everyone is asleep, I’m going fishing,” Lula remarked back in October.
There’s no disclosure from the Brazilian presidential palace regarding the total number of individuals living on the ship, nor the crew size or overall rental expenses.
The Office of the President stated that all decisions would adhere to planned protocols ensuring safety and transparency. As this is a presidential trip, any financial details potentially compromising the safety of the President or Vice President are deemed sensitive.
Brazil’s preparations for COP30 have faced numerous difficulties this year, particularly with elevated accommodation costs in Belém leading to significant challenges for delegates securing lodging.
Local reports indicated that hotels ramped up rates significantly, some even going so far as to rebrand themselves in the lead-up to the summit. To mitigate issues, the Brazilian government has made efforts to offer reduced rates to delegates from less developed nations, even providing free cruise cabins on vessels docked in Belém during the event.
Amidst all these developments, it’s ironic that in a gathering focused on climate change, considerable sections of the Amazon rainforest have been cleared to facilitate new road construction aimed at enhancing Belém’s transportation ahead of COP30.
