Portos do Paraná Launches Annual Maintenance Dredging Campaign

Portos do Paraná has launched its 2025 maintenance dredging campaign, deploying two dredging vessels in the access channel of the Ports of Paranaguá and Antonina. The objective is to maintain current navigation parameters, ensuring the safety and efficiency of Paraná’s port infrastructure. Dredging is essential to counteract sedimentation, which can hinder the passage of vessels in navigational areas.

The Galileo Galilei was the first vessel to begin operations, which started work on April 24. It is currently dredging the access channel to Porto Ponta do Félix and will later move to the local turning basin, aiming to maintain a navigation depth of 9.5 meters.

On May 2, the Vox Alexia began operations at the entrance of the Paranaguá port access channel, near Ilha da Galheta. The targeted depth is 16.5 meters. The vessel will then move to the Bravo 1 and Bravo 2 areas (between Ilha do Mel and Paranaguá Port), with planned depths of 15.5 meters and 14.5 meters, respectively.

“It’s important to highlight that the dredging equipment currently in use is recently built and designed with modern technology, which ensures high efficiency in dredging operations,” said Lucas Gonçalves, Coordinator of Bathymetry and Dredging at Portos do Paraná.

“This is a routine campaign we carry out every year, and it’s crucial for maintaining navigation standards. These standards ensure safety and allow vessels to enter and leave with their full cargo capacity, keeping the port operating smoothly,” Gonçalves added.

The Galileo Galilei, flying the Luxembourg flag, belongs to the Belgian company Jan de Nul. It is 166.55 meters long and was built in 2020. The Vox Alexia, owned by the Dutch company Van Oord, is registered in the Netherlands, 137.5 meters long, and was built in 2021. Both vessels are operating under a contract with the Itibere Dragagem Consortium.

The campaign is scheduled to be completed by July.

Source: Portos do Paraná

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