According to a company note, a fire at the Tiplam Terminal in Santos' largest port destroyed a conveyor and electrical systems, causing a suspension on sugar loading for piers 2 & 3.

The fire started on Thursday evening and was put out by Friday morning. The note sent to terminal clients by VLI, which manages the terminal, stated that there were no casualties, but that the destruction of a conveyor belt had stopped the loading of berths.

The company also suspended the unloading trains that arrived at the port via rail, bringing sugar and other goods.

VLI representatives told the press on Friday evening that they were evaluating the damage at the site and would begin repairs as soon as possible.

According to data provided by shipping agency Williams (Williams), Tiplam is expected to load 13 ships with 800,000 tons of sugar over the next two weeks. The majority of vessels will be sailing to China. Wilmar is the main shipper at this terminal. (Reporting from Marcelo Teixeira, New York; Additional reporting by Roberto Samora, Sao Paulo. Editing by Matthew Lewis & Leslie Adler).