Port of Natal Secures Dredging Permit to Accommodate Larger Ships

Rio Grande do Norte’s environmental agency, Idema, has granted port authority Codern a permit to dredge the Port of Natal’s turning basin. The authorization was signed on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

The project involves removing up to 1.4 million cubic meters of sediment from the bed of the Potengi River. The objective is to deepen the turning basin, where vessels maneuver into position before berthing at the port.

According to Codern, the work is expected to allow larger ships to operate at the port and increase its cargo handling capacity. The permit establishes a target depth of 12.5 meters for the dredged area.

Codern CEO Paulo Henrique Macedo said the company has yet to establish a construction schedule with the contractor responsible for the project.

“This will allow us to accommodate longer vessels at the port while further improving the safety of our access channel and turning basin,” he said.

Environmental Monitoring Requirements for Port of Natal Dredging

The environmental permit establishes measures to monitor the potential impacts of dredging. These include monitoring water quality, sediments and aquatic organisms, as well as controlling turbidity, which occurs when suspended particles make the water cloudy.

Monitoring will also cover the designated sediment disposal area and the Praia da Redinha coastal area and its surroundings to identify potential changes in coastal dynamics.

The permit also requires measures to reduce risks to marine wildlife, including sea turtles and cetaceans, a group of marine mammals that includes whales and dolphins.

Codern must also provide a communication channel for artisanal fishers and communities within the project’s area of influence. The permit further requires consultation with the local fishing community’s association.

Final Stage of Port Dredging Project

According to Codern, dredging of the Port of Natal’s access channel has already been completed. The next stage will focus on the turning basin, the area vessels use to maneuver before berthing.

The company’s Administrative and Financial Director, Hugo Alexandre Meneses Fonseca, said coordination by the state government with federal authorities in Brasília helped secure federal funding for the project.

According to Idema Director-General Werner Farkatt, the environmental review process took approximately four months, from the submission of the application to the completion of licensing.

Source: G1

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