Antaq takes step forward in granting Paranagua Port access to private sector

The Board of Directors of Brazil’s National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ) has taken a significant step forward in granting a concession for the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá. During a meeting held on Thursday (22), the board approved the investigation conducted on the topic, which gathered inputs from a public consultation and hearing. The Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) will review the documents before submitting them to the Federal Audit Court (TCU).

The public participation phase, which aimed to gather contributions, inputs, and suggestions to refine the technical and legal documents prepared for the access concession bidding process, took place at the end of 2023. A total of 320 contributions were received during this period.

This project marks Brazil’s first proposal for a port access channel concession. ANTAQ’s Director-General, Eduardo Nery, and the project’s rapporteur, Wilson Lima Filho, have consistently emphasized the importance of this initiative.

“This project is a milestone for the port sector. The project has been strengthened with public participation,” noted Eduardo Nery.

About the Proposal

The proposal outlines a contractual term of 25 years, with the possibility of extensions up to 70 years. The estimated investment is R$ 1.07 billion.

Key improvements planned under the concession include increasing the draft to 15.5 meters by the fifth year of the concession (currently, the waterway access has a depth of 13.3 meters). This will allow the port to accommodate larger vessels.

“With the increased draft, we’ll be able to receive increasingly larger vessels at the Port of Paranaguá, enhancing port productivity in the state,” commented Luiz Fernando Garcia, CEO of Portos do Paraná.

Additionally, the project includes expanding and widening the channel, enlarging the turning basin, and deepening Anchorage Area No. 6, among other enhancements.

The future concession holder will be responsible for all investments required to meet these goals, including dredging, rock removal, nautical signaling, bathymetry, and environmental programs and monitoring.

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