Portos do Paraná invests R$100 million in second phase of liquid bulk pier upgrade

Portos do Paraná has completed the selection and contracting process for the company that will execute the second phase of the expansion and modernization of the Liquid Bulk Pier (PPGL) at the Port of Paranaguá. The announcement was published on Wednesday (April 1) in the official state gazette.

The project requires an investment of R$100.3 million, with completion expected within 13 months from the issuance of the notice to proceed.

The upgrade is aimed at enabling the berthing of larger vessels, in terms of both length overall (LOA) and draft. “The objective is to enhance efficiency and competitiveness in port operations,” said Victor Kengo, Engineering and Maintenance Director at Portos do Paraná.

Currently, the PPGL is limited to handling vessels of up to 190 meters in length and 11.60 meters in draft. Following updates to maritime traffic and port regulations in 2025, the Port of Paranaguá is now authorized to receive vessels with drafts of up to 13.30 meters.

“As a key structure for cargo handling within the port complex, the PPGL’s main constraint is its operational limitation, given that the pier was built in the 1940s and requires upgrading,” Kengo said.

The project also includes the installation of a mooring dolphin — a fixed offshore structure used for vessel mooring — as well as two berthing dolphins to absorb vessel impact, and a new operating platform. The upgrade will also improve connectivity with hinterland terminals.

First phase of the project

Upgrade works began in 2025, with R$29 million invested in reinforcing the pier. The scope included the construction of a dolphin, replacement of fenders, installation of monitoring and laser berthing systems, upgrades to lighting and electrical systems, pavement rehabilitation, and the implementation of a new hose-handling system. The works are ongoing, with the new dolphin already completed.

Throughput

Liquid bulk accounted for 12.75% of total cargo throughput at Paraná’s ports in 2025. Key exports included soybean oil (848,253 tonnes) and fuel oil (461,692 tonnes).

The chart below breaks down the share of the main liquid bulk cargoes handled at the Port of Paranaguá between January and February 2026, according to data obtained by Datamar:

Liquid Bulk Cargo Throughput at the Port of Paranaguá | 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Imports were led by diesel (3,245,872 tonnes) and methanol (1,383,673 tonnes).

Source: Portos do Paraná

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