Port of Laguna infrastructure upgrade advances in southern Brazil

A project that could reshape the future of the Port of Laguna, in southern Santa Catarina, moved forward significantly this week with the signing of a key contract by the state government. The State of Santa Catarina has signed an agreement with the company that won the public tender to carry out hydrographic surveys and prepare the executive engineering design for the Canal da Barra. The project aims to improve maritime access to the Port of Laguna and is considered a critical step in advancing the port’s long-term infrastructure upgrade.

In September 2025, the state confirmed the unification of the management of the ports of Laguna and Imbituba under SCPar. Since then, efforts have focused on structural improvements to enhance the competitiveness of the Port of Laguna, which currently operates mainly as a fishing hub.

“The Port of Laguna is being planned in a responsible and technical manner. The government has contracted specific projects to gather essential information, such as the feasibility and cost of dredging and the investment required to remove the rocks currently located at the port entrance. Without these studies, it is impossible to determine the cost of the works or whether they are technically and economically viable,” said Christiano Lopes de Oliveira, chief executive officer of SCPAR Porto de Imbituba.

The tender for the preparation of the executive project was awarded to Coastal Port Engenharia for R$700,000. The contract will remain in force for 360 days, starting from its publication in the State Official Gazette.

Beyond fishing operations

The Port of Laguna is currently a strategic fishing hub in Santa Catarina, handling large volumes of seafood and focused on industrial fishing activities. However, the studies aimed at improving access through the Canal da Barra could open the door to new types of operations.

“Once these studies are completed, it will be possible to assess whether the planned interventions can be carried out and, based on that, define the port’s true vocation beyond fishing. We will be able to determine the size of vessels the port can accommodate and evaluate other alternatives, such as passenger tourism, marina operations, shipbuilding, or handling lighter cargoes,” Christiano said.

“However, without the completion of these projects, it is not possible to definitively state what the future of the Port of Laguna will be. At this stage, the focus remains on expanding fishing activities while awaiting the conclusions of the ongoing studies,” he added.

The role of dredging

The Canal da Barra dredging project is part of a broader package of interventions planned by the state to improve regional infrastructure and navigation conditions at the port.

“Without dredging, the channel lacks sufficient depth, which restricts vessel access and makes larger-scale port operations unfeasible. Dredging is what ensures adequate draft, navigational predictability and safety for ships. Without it, the port remains limited to very restricted uses, undermining its competitiveness and reducing its economic development potential,” Christiano explained.

Structural improvements underway

While the dredging project moves into the design phase, additional investments focused on the port’s existing infrastructure are also being planned.

“The port has ongoing investments linked to fishing activities, as well as projects in the planning stage focused primarily on technical studies that will guide any future intervention. Detailed surveys are planned to identify, with a high level of precision—at least one cubic meter—the types, sizes and shapes of materials that may need to be removed during dredging, rock removal and cleaning operations,” the SCPar president said.

He added that underwater structure prospecting is also planned, including surveys and soundings to assess the stability and depth of the foundations of berths and other existing structures.

“In addition, basic designs for protective slopes and conceptual projects for the reinforcement, protection and recovery of existing structures, such as the quay and the fishing terminal, will be developed to ensure the integrity of these facilities during and after the interventions,” he said.

Recent weather-related damage

A severe windstorm that hit Laguna in late December caused damage to roofs and other port structures, prompting emergency management actions.

“The weather event affected part of the port’s infrastructure, leading to the collapse of a side wall and damage to the roofs of the halls where fishing operations take place, as well as the administrative area. Cleanup work has already begun, and the necessary contracts for roof repairs and wall reconstruction are being activated,” Christiano said.

According to him, the area of the Port of Laguna used for events was not affected.

“The area designated for year-end and pre-Carnival events was not impacted, and the scheduled programming will continue as planned, without changes.”

Source: ND Mais

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