Portos do Paraná eases unberthing rules to boost grain vessel turnaround

Portos do Paraná has published an update to the Maritime Traffic and Berthing Regulations, easing restrictions on unberthing maneuvers at the docks primarily used for exporting solid vegetable bulk cargoes such as soybeans, soybean meal, corn, and sugar. Ordinance No. 144/2025 came into effect on August 1, following approval from the pilotage service and the Brazilian Navy. It applies to berths 201, 204, 212, 213, and 214 at the Port of Paranaguá.

“The reduction in maneuvering restrictions will allow loaded vessels to unberth more quickly, which will increase productivity in cargo operations,” explained Luiz Fernando Garcia, CEO of Portos do Paraná.

Following the removal of the tip of Pedra da Palangana and the revision of the access channel’s signaling, several maneuver simulations were conducted to ensure maximum safety when vessels depart the quay without tidal or current restrictions.

Public company investments in dredging also enabled a draft increase — the distance between the ship’s deepest point (keel) and the water surface — recorded at the end of last year. Most berths and two piers saw their draft increase from 12.8 m to 13.1 m.

With this 30-centimeter increase in 2024, the loading capacity of solid bulk vessels, for example, rose by about 2,000 tonnes, both for inbound and outbound cargo.

Productivity in numbers

From January to July this year, the East and West Export Corridors handled 226 vessels. The East Export Corridor set an operational record in July, moving 2,607,639 tonnes — an increase of over 1.55% compared to the previous record of 2,567,755 tonnes in May 2023.

“The expectation is that with this change, ship traffic will increase, allowing for further growth in volume,” said Gabriel Vieira, Port Operations Director at Portos do Paraná.

Source: Portos do Paraná

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