Brazil’s new port of Arroio do Sal expected to open in 2026

The new Southern Port of Arroio do Sal is expected to open in 2026, according to the DTA Engineering company. A group of investors chose the company to execute the R$6 billion project, which is being delayed due to the changes in federal regulations and the still pending need to obtain environmental licensing. However, the owner of DTA, João Acácio Gomes de Oliveira Neto, guarantees that the project is “going very well.”

The project has already received the support of the Novo Hamburgo, Campo Bom, Estância Velha and Dois Irmãos Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services (ACI) and the Caxias do Sul Chamber of Industry, Commerce and Services (CIC), as the metalworking hub is one of the main stakeholders in the project. The work also has the approval of the state’s Legislative Assembly, which launched a parliamentary caucus in support of the port.

Final stage

DTA Engineering owner João Acácio Gomes de Oliveira Neto says that the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) is expected to approve the construction of the port in the coming weeks. In addition, the necessary Environmental Impact Study and Environmental Impact Report (EIA-Rima) are already being processed by the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).

According to Antaq’s press office, the Arroio do Sal terminal process is in the final stage of technical analysis required before public notice. After this stage, the project’s notice will be made public and enter a 30-day period for overall scrutiny. Aspects related to the feasibility of using the chosen area will also be carried out.

According to Oliveira, 70% of the cargo potential is already committed to companies that have expressed interest in the project, many from Rio Grande do Sul and the western part of Santa Catarina.

Oliveira believes that public hearings will be held by the end of September to gather info on the demands of the locals. He also predicts that Ibama will issue a preliminary license by the end of the year. This document attests to the environmental viability of the project.

DTA is already working on the prototype of the breakwater of the future port, which is being tested in tanks assembled in Ottawa, Canada. The wall should be 19 meters deep.

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