Largest dredging project of the decade to remove 3 million m³ at Port of Santos

The Santos Port Authority (APS) has announced the approval of the 2025–2026 Conceptual Dredging Plan, a document that guides maintenance actions to preserve depth and ensure safe navigation conditions at Latin America’s largest port.

The plan also fulfills the environmental requirements set out in Operating License No. 1382/2017, issued by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama).

The new dredging cycle aims to maintain a 15-meter depth in the navigation channel, with an estimated removal of three million cubic meters of sediment.

The operation will employ trailing suction hopper dredgers (TSHDs), backhoes, and barges.

Sediments will be deposited in grids Q4 and Q8 of the Ocean Disposal Polygon (PDO), located about 10 kilometers from the channel entrance.

Sections and time periods schedule the dredging campaigns: sections 1 and 2 in January, February, June, July, October, and November; and sections 3 and 4 in April, July, August, and November.

According to APS, the schedule variations reflect local weather conditions — such as cold fronts, swells, and increased sediment loads during the summer rains. In the event of extreme conditions, additional dredging may be conducted with Ibama’s authorization.

Long-haul Container Movements at the Port of Santos | Jan 2022 to Sep 2025 | TEU

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The operation will be monitored in real time by APS’s technical team, in accordance with the environmental programs established in the license.

These include the Dredging Monitoring Program and the Dredging Monitoring Program by Dredger Sensors, both dedicated to oversight activities. Other environmental programs will assess indirect impacts on the local ecosystem.

To mitigate effects on marine fauna, dredgers will be equipped with turtle deflectors, and the suction system will only be activated within one meter of the seabed to prevent harm to aquatic organisms.

Information on each phase of the process — including dates, areas, and operation types — will be published through APS’s official channels and social media, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency and sustainability in port operations.

Source: Diário do Litoral

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