Parana port authority prepares Paranagua’s export corridor for 2023 solid bulk season

The Port of Paranagua’s East Export Corridor, known as Corex, is undergoing renovation work. While the new soybean crop still grows in the fields, the port, at the other end of the logistics chain, is adjusting its structure and operating system to meet the intense grain demand, which should grow more pronounced from March onwards.

“These are essential services to ensure that we will be able to hit the target volume of shipments, guarantee the good performance of the equipment, reduce operating costs, enlarge productivity, and reduce unwanted periods with no activities during the year,” says the director president of Portos do Paraná, Luiz Fernando Garcia.

Every year electromechanical maintenance interventions happen. Victor Kengo, the public company’s director of maintenance engineering, explains that planning for the corridor’s next scheduled annual maintenance shutdown begins as soon as this year’s services are completed.

He informs that with this knowledge, he and the Directorate of Operations have defined the shutdown schedule for Corex’s three berths. “In this way, while maintenance is being performed on the lines corresponding to a specific berth, the other two remain operational, avoiding a total shutdown of export bulk operations,” says the engineer.

This year, maintenance began on October 24, with the shutdown of berth 212, where all services have already been completed and the space cleared. Now, it is the berth 213 equipment that has been reviewed. The forecast is for it to be closed for operations by the next 22nd. Soon after, on the 23rd, maintenance is scheduled to begin on berth 214. All services should be finished by the end of January

INVESTMENT – Almost BRL 19 million were invested in electrical maintenance, automation, and mechanics in all six lines and shiploaders, as well as in services like replacing the arched covers on conveyor belts and the access stairs to the old central panel. Other services fringed on the maintenance of power generators and the supply of components to remodel the remote automation networks of the Export Corridor.

The maintenance work had been planned throughout the year and involved hiring outsourced companies, purchasing materials, and other strategic aspects. The Port of Paranaguá Export Corridor Terminals Association (ATEXP) and the Export Corridor Port Operators Association (AOCEP) worked in partnership with the port authority during this time. According to cooperation agreements signed with the public company, the associations are responsible for preserving the equipment.

Cargo movement – From January to December 15, 17,712,778 tonnes of solid bulk passed through the three terminals at Paranagua’s East Export Corridor. The volume is almost 1 million tonnes greater than the volume seen in the same period of 2021.

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