The port of Paranaguá (PR) is preparing to expand the reception capacity of super ships, the postpanamax ships. Today, the government signs the largest dredging contract for a Brazilian port, worth R$ 394,2 million. The work will deepen the internal and external channels, the accesses to the mooring berths and the berths of the port, one of the largest handling of grains, fertilizers and containers in Brazil.
The process should be concluded in 22 months. “It takes six months to complete the project. The work should start between May and June”, estimates the president of DTA Engenharia, João Acácio Gomes. The company won the federal tender carried out via the Differentiated Contracting Regime (RDC) by offering the highest discount (2,65%) on the R$ 405 million budgeted by the government for the work.
It is the largest contract of the National Dredging Program (PND) 2, launched in 2012. The signing will take place in Paranaguá, with the presence of the Minister of Ports, Helder Barbalho.
The depth of the outer channel will increase from 15 meters to 16 meters and that of the inner channel will jump from 14 meters to 15 meters. The estimate is that the operational draft of the ships will increase from 12,30 meters to 13,80 meters at normal tide, said the port administration. In the slack tide, when the water level rises, a greater operational draft is allowed, generally with up to one additional meter which, at the limit, will allow the operation of ships with a draft of 14,80 meters.
It is estimated that, in bulk carriers alone, there will be a loading gain of 315 additional tons/month.
According to Gomes, DTA chartered three “modern” foreign dredgers for the work. It is estimated that 14 million cubic meters will be removed. The payment of the contract is by result.
PND 2 is part of the Port Logistics Investment Program (PIL Portos), which provides BRL 3,8 billion for deepening dredging and maintenance over the next ten years. So far, contracts have been signed for the readjustment of the port of Rio Grande (R$ 368,6 million) and Rio de Janeiro (R$ 210 million). This month, Santos' contract should be signed.
Source: Valor Econômico
By: Fernanda Pires
