Brazil plans to allow 400-meter ships at Itajaí port under new concession project

The project to improve port efficiency in Brazil took a significant step forward this Thursday (August 28). The Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) submitted the concession process for the access channel to the Port of Itajaí to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). The project includes infrastructure works to accommodate vessels up to 400 meters in length — the largest in operation worldwide. The National Secretariat of Ports at MPor anticipates that the auction will take place in the first quarter of 2026.

The federal government’s strategy is to create conditions that increase cargo throughput at strategic ports across the country. “By granting concessions for access channels, we are able to reduce the bureaucracy involved in dredging operations and provide predictability for operators. This ultimately lowers costs and makes our products even more competitive,” said Silvio Costa Filho, Minister of Ports and Airports.

A week ago, MPor and Antaq launched the bidding notice for the concession of the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá, with the auction scheduled for October 22. The winning bidder in Paranaguá will be responsible for expanding, maintaining, and operating the channel infrastructure, increasing the draft from 13.1 meters to 15.5 meters.

Following the established timeline, MPor is continuing with concession projects for the access channels to the ports of Santos, Bahia, and Rio Grande. The Santos project is currently under review by Antaq for the drafting of the auction notice and includes a gradual increase in draft depth from 15 to 17 meters. In the case of Itajaí, dredging is expected to increase the draft to 16 meters starting in the fourth year of the concession.

Source: Ministério dos Portos e Aeroportos

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