Emergency Dredging of Itapuã Channel Commences in Porto Alegre

Portos RS has announced the start of emergency dredging in the Itapuã Channel, which began on Tuesday (26) following confirmation of favorable weather conditions to ensure safe and efficient operations. The contract with Ster Engenharia was finalized, and all necessary environmental permits were secured. The dredger, fully fueled and positioned in Porto Alegre since last Thursday (November 21), had been awaiting the green light for weather conditions to proceed with operations.

The dredging project spans 2,350 meters in length and 110 meters in width, covering a total area of 260,000 square meters. The operation aims to remove up to 185,000 cubic meters of sediment, achieving a depth of six meters and an operational draft of 5.18 meters. The estimated completion timeline for the dredging is 90 days, though this may vary depending on equipment productivity and sediment characteristics.

“This project marks another significant step toward the recovery and reconstruction of our state,” said Juvir Costella, Secretary of Logistics and Transport. “With substantial investments and dedicated efforts, we are working to fully restore Rio Grande do Sul in the wake of recent calamities.”

Portos RS President Cristiano Klinger highlighted that the dredging and other recovery efforts are being financed using internal resources while awaiting formal disbursement from the Rio Grande do Sul State Reconstruction Fund (Funrigs). The fund recently approved R$ 731 million for state initiatives.

“We are progressing with these interventions using our own resources, expecting the approved Funrigs funds to settle these investments and support additional critical projects,” Klinger stated. This proactive approach ensures priority projects move forward without delays during the fund’s approval process.

The initial target is to achieve navigability in half the channel with a draft of 5.18 meters within 20 days of work. This milestone will mark a critical step in resuming commercial navigation in the state. “In just 20 days, we aim to have half the channel ready for navigation at the planned draft,” said Lucas Cardoso, Infrastructure Director at Portos RS. “This initial phase is a crucial breakthrough for reviving commercial shipping in the region.”

Once the Itapuã Channel dredging is complete, Portos RS will shift its focus to other key waterways, including Pedras Brancas, Leitão, Furadinho, and São Gonçalo. Preparations for these projects, including hydrographic surveys and sediment volume assessments, are already underway. For remaining channels under Portos RS’s jurisdiction, ongoing bathymetric surveys will guide subsequent interventions.

This structured approach ensures seamless progress in recovery and development efforts across the region’s waterways.

Portos RS reiterated its dedication to restoring navigability across Rio Grande do Sul’s cargo waterways. This initiative is seen as a cornerstone of the state’s broader economic recovery strategy, directly benefiting regional development and logistics infrastructure.

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