Brazil’s largest dredging project begins at the Port of São Francisco do Sul

Brazil’s largest dredging project began on Saturday night (11) in Babitonga Bay, Santa Catarina. The work will be carried out by the Galileu Galilei dredger — one of the most advanced in the world — which docked at the Port of São Francisco do Sul in the early hours of the same day.

Below is a historical chart of long-haul cargo movement at the Port of São Francisco do Sul, one of the ports benefiting from the dredging project. The chart was produced using DataLiner data and includes only long-haul cargo:

Cargo movement at the Port of São Francisco do Sul | Jan 2022 – Aug 2025 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

After Ibama issued the final environmental license on Friday (10), the dredger began deepening the outer channel — an area whose sediments cannot be disposed of on the beach. Meanwhile, the pipeline for sand replenishment on Itapoá’s waterfront has already been positioned at Pontal do Norte beach. In the coming weeks, the pipeline will be extended offshore, widening the beach by up to 200 meters depending on weather conditions.

“Until sand nourishment begins, residents and tourists will see the pipeline occupying about 400 meters of the beach,” explained Vinicius Delfim, contract manager at Jan De Nul do Brasil, owner of the Galileu Galilei. The project’s logistics involve truck and container movements planned to minimize disruption to local tourism.

Economic impact and port capacity

Valued at R$333 million, the project will increase the port’s draft from 14 to 16 meters, allowing ships up to 366 meters long to berth. Once completed — expected in the second half of 2026 — Babitonga Bay will become the first port complex in Brazil capable of handling vessels of this size at full load, strengthening logistics, trade, and heavy cargo transport in the region.

In addition to expanding port capacity, the project also brings tourism and environmental benefits, combining economic development, coastal improvements, and environmental preservation through an unprecedented partnership between Santa Catarina’s ports and municipalities.

Source: Transporte Moderno

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