Simulation Targets Enhanced Navigation for Large Ships at Rio Grande Port

In April 2023, Wilson Sons and Tecon Rio Grande (RS) teamed up with Portos RS, the pilots association Praticagem do Rio Grande, port union Sintermar, Technomar Engenharia, and Brazil’s Navy. This collective effort aims to enhance access conditions at the Rio Grande Port.

The initiative involved a series of simulations to optimize the performance of the turning basin for vessels exceeding 300 meters. These simulations, all held virtually, ensured these vessels could operate at the terminal without restrictions. The procedure, overseen by the Port Captaincy, included 24 maneuvers aimed at minimizing impediments and addressing safety concerns for navigation.

The final technical report, issued in early December after eight weeks of activity, encompassed a bathymetric study, a historical analysis of ship turns, operational alignment, simulator parameterization, and simulation execution. The analysis, conducted by responsible entities, yielded a positive assessment of turning vessels up to 305m LOA (Length Overall), with a draft possibility of 12.4m (bow) and 14.2m (stern), achieving an estimated average draft of 13.2m. For 335m class ships, the viability indicates a draft of 11.7m (bow) and 14.2m (stern), with an average draft of 12.9m.

Guido Cajaty, President of Praticagem de Rio Grande, emphasized the initiative’s importance, stating, “In our understanding, this initiative is crucial; thus, we are leveraging all available tools so that these ships can navigate Rio Grande, complying with all necessary safety procedures.”

Fabiano Rampazzo, Naval Engineer at Technomar, called attention to the project’s goal: to provide Rio Grande stakeholders with a decision-making tool for operations. “Whether for containerized or bulk carrier vessels, we aim to equip the community with an assessment capability for maneuvers, surpassing conventional limits,” he emphasized.

Romildo Fernandes Bondan, Operations Director of Portos RS, underscored the joint operation’s significance for the Port of Rio Grande. Reducing restrictions on turning large vessels fosters the port’s expansion and the entire productive chain in Rio Grande do Sul.

This improvement in access conditions for vessels over 300m comes at a highly positive time for the terminal. Last year, the terminal demonstrated robust performance, with all indicators showing growth. The handled volume reached 663.4 thousand TEUs, reflecting a growth of 21.9% compared to 2022. Notably, there was an increase in transshipment and export flows, with a 33.1% and 28.8% rise, respectively.

Giovanni Phonlor, Operations Director of Tecon Rio Grande, emphasized that this process enhances the terminal’s potential to become a logistics hub for the Southern Cone. “This initiative used technology and expertise to safely reduce restrictions without investing in dredging,” he noted. “Moving forward in reducing restrictions means that large ships can call at the Port of Rio Grande with more cargo, directly contributing to becoming a global cargo concentrator, located at the southern tip of the Americas.”

Paulo Bertinetti, CEO of Tecon Rio Grande, assessed the benefits of allowing the operation of larger vessels at the terminal. “This achievement symbolizes another step forward for our terminal, enhancing the maritime infrastructure we offer to the international market. By facilitating the reception of these ships, which are key players in the commerce of Rio Grande do Sul and Brazil, we position ourselves as one of the few Brazilian ports without maneuver restrictions for large vessels. Being at the center of Mercosul, and with the physical advantages we have in bulk and container infrastructure, we will undoubtedly be the chosen port for major companies,” he explained.

Following the current maintenance dredging campaign at the Port of Rio Grande, initiated in November 2023, the simulation maneuver initiative will be repeated in March 2024. The goal is to assess whether the maintenance dredging of the channel has had positive effects on ship maneuvering areas, further reducing restrictions and capturing more gains for the Port of Rio Grande and, consequently, for the economy of Rio Grande city and the State of Rio Grande do Sul.

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