Ports of Paraná Begin 2025 Dredging to Combat Silting and Ensure Efficiency

Introduction
The Ports of Paraná have officially commenced their 2025 dredging campaign, reinforcing their commitment to safe, efficient maritime operations and infrastructure maintenance. As one of Brazil’s most vital port complexes, ensuring uninterrupted navigation through sediment control is a critical annual undertaking. With advanced equipment and strategic planning, the campaign aims to secure navigational depths, optimize shipping conditions, and uphold the ports’ international standards.

Scheduled to conclude by July 2025, the operation reflects the ongoing mission to combat silting in key access channels and maintain the state’s maritime trade capabilities at peak performance.

1. Strategic Importance of the Ports of Paraná

The Ports of Paraná, encompassing the Ports of Paranaguá and Antonina, are central to Brazil’s agricultural exports, industrial imports, and economic development. As logistical hubs on the southern coast, these ports support thousands of vessels annually, facilitating the movement of grain, fertilizer, containers, and general cargo across global routes.

Beyond their economic significance, these ports have also earned international recognition, recently being awarded for excellence in the global port industry. Their success is directly tied to consistent maintenance efforts—such as the 2025 dredging campaign—that ensure they remain competitive and reliable.

2. Objectives of the 2025 Dredging Campaign

The primary aim of the 2025 dredging campaign is to preserve critical water depths in various segments of the port system, especially areas vulnerable to silting. Without intervention, sedimentation can obstruct shipping lanes, leading to delays, increased fuel costs, or even grounding incidents.

This year’s project is designed to:

• Maintain a minimum depth of 9.5 meters in areas like Porto Ponta do Félix,
  
• Preserve deeper access channels at 14.5 to 16.5 meters in zones like Bravo 1, Bravo 2, and near Galheta Island,
  
• Safeguard operational efficiency and reduce risks associated with vessel drafts.
  

These efforts are vital for sustaining high-volume port activity and accommodating larger vessels that require consistent depth for maneuvering.

3. Deployment of Advanced Dredging Equipment

To execute the 2025 dredging campaign, Ports of Paraná deployed two technologically advanced dredgers: Galileo Galilei and Vox Alexia.

• Galileo Galilei: Operated by Jan De Nul (Belgium), this vessel flies the Luxembourg flag, measures 166.55 meters, and was built in 2020. It began work in April in the access channel to Porto Ponta do Félix and will soon continue to the adjacent turning basin.
  
• Vox Alexia: Managed by Dutch dredging firm Van Oord, this vessel is 137.5 meters long and was built in 2021. Starting its operations near Galheta Island in early May, it is assigned to areas with greater depth requirements (up to 16.5 meters).
  

Both ships are equipped with modern dredging systems designed for precision, efficiency, and minimal environmental disruption, showcasing the port authority’s investment in cutting-edge marine engineering.

4. Timeline and Operational Areas

The 2025 dredging campaign is segmented by zones, each requiring specific interventions based on sediment buildup and navigational needs. Key locations include:

• Porto Ponta do Félix: Ensuring a navigational depth of 9.5 meters.
  
• Galheta Island entrance: Targeting a depth of 16.5 meters.
  
• Bravo 1 & Bravo 2 (between Ilha do Mel and the Port of Paranaguá): Maintaining depths of 15.5 meters and 14.5 meters, respectively.
  

Operations began in late April and are expected to wrap up by July 2025, aligning with the port’s annual dredging schedule and minimizing disruption during peak shipping seasons.

5. Role of the Itiberê Dragagem Consortium

Oversight and execution of the 2025 dredging campaign are entrusted to the Itiberê Dragagem Consortium, a strategic partnership responsible for mobilizing equipment, ensuring compliance, and monitoring progress.

This consortium plays a pivotal role in:

• Coordinating dredging operations with maritime traffic schedules,
  
• Aligning dredging activity with environmental and safety regulations,
  
• Delivering timely and effective results in line with port infrastructure demands.

Their long-standing collaboration with Ports of Paraná enhances continuity, operational excellence, and project accountability year after year.

6. Environmental and Operational Benefits

Beyond navigational safety, the 2025 dredging campaign provides several operational and ecological benefits:

• Reduced ship waiting times, leading to fuel savings and lower carbon emissions.
  
• Minimized risk of accidental groundings, ensuring safer port operations.
  
• Sustainable sediment management, complying with national and international marine standards.
  

By proactively managing silting, the ports prevent sediment overload in sensitive ecological zones and support long-term coastal resilience.

7. Statements from Port Officials

Lucas Gonçalves, Coordinator of Bathymetry and Dredging at Ports of Paraná, emphasizes the significance of the campaign:

“It is a routine campaign that we carry out every year and is very important to maintain navigation standards. They ensure safety and allow ships to enter and leave with the expected cargo, keeping the port operating without unforeseen events.”

Gonçalves also highlighted the modern design and construction of the dredging vessels, pointing out that their advanced technology enhances efficiency and precision in sediment removal.

8. Broader Impact on Brazil’s Maritime Economy

The Ports of Paraná are more than logistical assets—they are economic engines for Brazil’s southern region and the nation’s trade footprint. Each maintenance cycle, including the 2025 dredging campaign, contributes to:

• Higher throughput volumes,
  
• More reliable export/import schedules, and
  
• Improved competitiveness in global markets.
  

As vessel sizes increase and cargo demand grows, the ability of Brazilian ports to adapt through infrastructure maintenance like dredging becomes a critical pillar of the country’s economic future.

Conclusion

The launch of the 2025 dredging campaign at the Ports of Paraná is a testament to the state’s proactive approach to maritime infrastructure management. With advanced dredgers, a clear strategy, and a dedicated execution team, this annual operation continues to safeguard the port’s navigability, efficiency, and economic relevance.

By completing the campaign on schedule by July 2025, the port authority not only ensures the safe passage of vessels but also fortifies Brazil’s standing in the global logistics chain. The continued investment in maintenance dredging demonstrates a long-term vision for growth, safety, and international competitiveness.