Porto Velho Port at Total Standstill for the First Time Due to Drought Implications

As of Monday (23), operations at Porto Velho have been temporarily suspended for the first time in history due to the extreme drought affecting the Madeira River. The river dropped to a record low of 25 centimeters overnight—the lowest level ever recorded.

Shipping companies and port operators halted activities due to the navigational challenges on the river. The port, which is operated by the Society of Ports and Waterways of Rondônia (SOPH), will only resume operations when the water levels rise and navigation becomes safe again.

The suspension significantly impacts cargo movement, particularly along the route between Rondônia and Amazonas. The river serves as a vital conduit for transporting solid bulk cargo (such as corn and soy), liquid bulk (including asphalt and biofuel), and general cargo, including food, beverages, and vehicles.

According to the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (Dnit), the Madeira River is one of the most important freight routes in the North region, boasting over 1,000 kilometers of navigable waterways.

Last week, g1 reported that Porto Velho’s main cargo terminal had already reduced its cargo transport capacity by 60% due to the drought. SOPH indicated that, during dry periods, the port typically experiences a 60% reduction in cargo throughput, but the current situation has become so severe that it led to a full shutdown.

Under normal conditions, the port handles around 200,000 tonnes of cargo each month. Initial forecasts for September predicted a volume of 100,000 tonnes, but that target will not be met due to the water crisis.

In response to the drought, the port has deployed technical support for vessels facing navigation issues. SOPH has been sending pumps to help ships extract water when they run aground.

SOPH is working closely with Dnit, the National Agency for Waterway Transport (Antaq), the Navy, and the National Federation of Navigation Companies (Fenavega) to track the crisis and explore solutions for resuming port operations.

Record Low Water Levels

Early Monday morning (23), the Madeira River hit an unprecedented low of 25 centimeters in Porto Velho. What was once a vast river has turned into stretches of exposed rock and sandbanks, obstructing navigation.

Since July, vessels have been banned from navigating the river at night due to the drought. At that time, the river level was at 3.75 meters. This restriction has extended the transit time for cargo shipments, including fuel.

Since then, the river has dropped by over 3 meters, making daytime navigation equally challenging. Ships run aground on sand or collide with exposed rocks scattered along the riverbed.

Source: G1

Click here to access the original text: https://g1.globo.com/ro/rondonia/noticia/2024/09/23/porto-de-cargas-de-porto-velho-e-paralisadas-por-causa-da-seca-do-rio-madeira.ghtml

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