Brazil’s ports ministry announces R$130 million investment in Port of Natal

The Federal Government announced on Monday (August 11) an investment package exceeding R$130 million to modernize and expand the operational capacity of the Port of Natal, as well as to carry out structural improvements on the Newton Navarro Bridge. The announcement was made by the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, during a ceremony at the Passenger Maritime Terminal (TMP) in the Ribeira neighborhood. The measures include dredging the access channel, installing fenders on the bridge and the docking pier, and implementing a photovoltaic power plant. Construction is expected to begin in the second half of 2025, following the completion of the bidding process.

The announced projects are part of the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) and aim to increase the state’s competitiveness, reduce logistics costs, and boost the economy. The dredging of the port, budgeted at R$60 million, is already in the bidding phase with funding secured, according to the state government. The project will deepen the access channel, allowing for the operation of larger vessels.

Also announced were the construction of fenders on the Newton Navarro Bridge and mooring dolphins at the port pier—structures that assist in ship mooring and docking. These investments total R$52 million and R$10 million, respectively.

Over the past three years, according to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, Rio Grande do Norte has handled more than 23.4 million tonnes of cargo—14.6 million tonnes through public ports and 8.8 million tonnes via authorized terminals.

Additionally, the minister announced feasibility studies for the development of a Green Port-Industrial Complex, with R$11.6 million allocated for logistical and environmental planning for offshore wind energy, green hydrogen, and multipurpose industrial projects. The project, structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), envisions the creation of a sustainable logistics hub focused on offshore wind power, green hydrogen production, and diversified industrial use, aligned with environmental and energy transition guidelines.

“We’re talking about more than R$120 million in investments here, starting with the port dredging. The fenders on the Newton Navarro Bridge—a project awaited for over two decades—the pier fenders, and the commitment we are signing to move forward with the innovative Green Port project in Rio Grande do Norte,” said Governor Fátima Bezerra during the ceremony. She also noted that the last dredging of the Port of Natal was carried out in 2009.

Minister Silvio Costa Filho emphasized that the works address a long-standing demand from the productive sector and that the lack of investment in recent years has undermined the terminal’s competitiveness. “Today, we’re issuing the service orders to begin work on the fenders and dredging. Unfortunately, the state lost a lot of ground in recent years. […] We know the importance of Rio Grande do Norte in salt exports and fruit production, which are strategic for job and income generation,” said the minister.

24-hour operations

The CEO of the Rio Grande do Norte Port Authority (Codern), Paulo Henrique Macedo, outlined the costs and stages of the projects. “Following the signing of the service order, we’ll immediately begin renovating the warehouses and sheds and installing the photovoltaic system. We are essentially revitalizing the port in every way. On the infrastructure side, we have the fender work on the bridge, which will enable us to operate 24 hours a day—something we currently cannot do. That alone accounts for around R$50 million,” he explained.

According to the ministry, maintenance dredging of the Port of Natal’s access channel will ensure a depth of 12.5 meters, allowing vessels up to 237 meters in length to dock. According to Codern, the dredging is in the final bidding phase, and the bridge fender project is being transferred from the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) to Codern for execution.

The Codern president also highlighted the resumption of fruit export operations, surpassing previous tonnage levels from when containerized shipping was used. “We’re recovering lost cargo with growth prospects ahead, especially since the company has expressed interest in a 20-year lease. If that is confirmed, we will become the country’s largest fruit-exporting port,” said Paulo Henrique Macedo.

For Roberto Serquiz, president of the Rio Grande do Norte Industry Federation (FIERN), the works represent a leap in competitiveness for the state. “This is an investment we’ve been waiting for, and it’s essential for the state’s development. […] The strongest argument we can make is that this has really hindered our state’s competitiveness, as 74% of our production is currently exported through the ports of Suape (Pernambuco) and Pecém (Ceará). Once the Port of Natal is consolidated, we will improve our competitiveness,” he stated.

Source: Tribuna do Norte

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