Dredging of the Port of Natal to start in January and last six months

The dredgers required for the dredging of the Port of Natal are expected to arrive in Natal in January 2026, according to the Ministry of Ports and Airports. DTA, the company that won the bidding process, is finalizing the executive project and awaiting the necessary permits to move forward with the work.

The project aims to improve the channel draft, currently 10 meters, which already limits the passage of larger vessels. With the expansion, the Port will be able to accommodate ships with a draft of up to 11 meters.

The Ministry also stated that the expected timeline for delivering the new depth is six months after the start of construction, with completion scheduled for mid-2026.

The cost of the dredging project is estimated at R$54.5 million, with funds guaranteed by the Ministry of Ports and Airports, and it will be closely monitored by the Port Authority.

During the dredging, the Companhia Docas do Rio Grande do Norte (Codern), responsible for the administration of the port, reported that there would be no interruption to port operations. “We have scheduled vessel maneuvers, so the dredger can be paused to allow the ship to pass through the channel,” said Codern President Paulo Henrique Macedo.

According to the company, dredging will be essential to modernize the state’s port infrastructure, enable the handling of heavier cargo, and expand the Port of Natal’s competitiveness on the international stage.

“It will not only increase international routes — it will improve safety in port operations, expand the window for ship departures, and allow transit under the bridge 24 hours a day,” he said. “We will be able to ship far more cargo with the current fruit operation than when we handled containers. And with the potential addition of iron ore, our cargo volume would triple, whether with fruit or other products,” Macedo explained.

Another issue being addressed by the Port of Natal is the installation of bridge protection systems, including dolphins on the structure.

The company awarded the bid to install the protections is awaiting the necessary permits to initiate the project. After the conclusion of the contracting stage, expected in December, the executive project will follow a 4-month schedule. Construction will then be carried out over 12 months, with completion expected in 2027.

Due to the absence of bridge protections, the Brazilian Navy issued Ordinance No. 55/CPRN, published by the Port Authority, establishing a ban on vessel maneuvers between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. The measure prevents navigation risks, since the lack of protection increases the risk of collisions during vessel arrivals and departures at certain tide levels.

Reforms at the Port

The Port of Natal has a package of infrastructure works that were unified into a single bidding process. The program includes the renovation of warehouses to modernize and expand cargo storage capacity, the renovation of sheds to strengthen logistics infrastructure, and the installation of a photovoltaic system to bring greater sustainability to operations.

The works have already been contracted and are in full progress. The expectation is that the set of renovations and installations will be completed by August 2026.

The bidding process has already been completed, and the contracts have been signed. The works are currently in full progress, and the expectation is that the shed will be delivered in December of this year. Even with the shed already in the final stages, the warehouse renovation remains under way to ensure completion of the entire project within the established timeline.

Source: Tribuna do Norte

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