As of 2018, with the transfer of demands from the Exploration and Production Units of the Campos and Espírito Santo Basin to the Açu Port, as it has better logistics, Petrobras started several infrastructure works at BMAC, such as deepening the maritime access channels, adjustments to the mooring structures, among others, so as to transform it into a special operations port, with the purpose of meeting the demands of the Anchoring Submarine Engineering, in addition to other special services such as Ocean Terminals Operation (OPTO).
A new port operator was also contracted, with characteristics that are better suited to meet the anchoring demands, which moves torpedoes up to 120 tons and anchoring chains that are even larger. As of January 2021, the anchoring operations were fully transferred to BMAC.
Porto Engenheiro Zephyrino Lavanère Machado Filho is located in the municipality of Macaé, 182 km from the capital, in the Northern shore of the State of Rio de Janeiro. The area borders the cities of Quissamã, Carapebus and Conceição de Macabu, in the North; Rio das Ostras and Casimiro de Abreu, in the South; Trajano de Moraes and Nova Friburgo, West; and the Atlantic Ocean, East.