Dredging contractor DEME and FTS Participações Societárias SA (FTS) through their joint venture, Canal Galheta Dredging Consortium (CCGD), has secured a 25-year concession contract to operate, maintain, and expand the access channel to the second-largest public port – Port of Paranaguá in the state of Paraná, Brazil.
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As part of a strategic initiative led by Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ), a tender was launched for the operation and management of the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá.
According to a press release issued by DEME, the Port of Paranaguá is recognised as Brazil’s second-largest public port and plays a critical role in the handling of agribulk, containers, and liquid bulk, which makes the contract a cornerstone in the country’s logistics. Furthermore, the channel expansion reinforces the Port of Paranaguá’s position as one of South America’s leading export gateways.
Under the concession contract, CCGD will be responsible for maintaining, operating, and deepening the channel. This will ensure that the port’s draft increases from its current permissible depth of 13.3 meters to 15.5 meters. Also, CCGD will be responsible for the management of the nautical signaling and beacon system. The main work will involve deepening the channel, which will allow larger vessels to access the port, and maintaining the channel’s depth through regular dredging and managing vessel navigation. DEME also added that the deepening of the channel is set to enable the docking of many of the largest vessels servicing the Brazilian market, which should significantly boost cargo capacity and operational efficiency while ensuring safe and continuous navigation.