Uruguay’s ANP Approves Dredging Expansion to 14 Meters at Montevideo Port

The Board of Directors of Uruguay’s National Ports Administration (ANP) has approved the expansion of dredging operations at Montevideo Port’s Outer Harbor to a depth of 14 meters.

This decision, based on technical bathymetric studies, will allow the port to accommodate larger, deeper-draft vessels, enhancing its competitiveness in the region.

The dredging of the Outer Harbor—a maneuvering area where ships position themselves before entering the port—is expected to facilitate operations for large container ships and bulk carriers.

Experts estimate that the project will involve the removal of 2 million cubic meters of material, divided as follows:

650,000 m³ for initial excavation

1,350,000 m³ for deepening work

The original contract, signed with China’s Shanghai Dredging Company (SDC), was valued at approximately $30 million. While the cost of the additional work has not been disclosed, SDC has subcontracted Belgium-based Jan De Nul Group, which is already active in Montevideo.

Economic and Strategic Implications

According to Uruguay’s El País, the standardization of depths to 14 meters at the port and its adjacent areas is expected to generate increased business activity by attracting major shipping lines that operate larger vessels to reduce operational costs.

These vessels require deep-water ports with efficient cargo handling, quick turnaround times, and quality support services.

ANP President Juan Curbelo recently emphasized the “enormous growth opportunities” this project represents for trade in the Río de la Plata region and along the Paraguay-Paraná Waterway.

The dredging expansion is also expected to strengthen Montevideo’s connectivity with terminals in southern Brazil.

See below for a historical overview of monthly container exports from the Port of Montevideo between January 2021 and October 2024. This powerful information was derived from Datamar’s DataLiner.

Uruguay Container Exports | Jan 2021 – Oct 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

An agreement with Argentina, reached earlier in 2024, authorized increasing the depth of the port’s access channel to 14 meters. Following technical recommendations from its Dredging Department, ANP extended its contract with SDC to include dredging the Outer Harbor.

This project solidifies Montevideo’s position as a strategic logistics hub in the region, attracting cargo that might otherwise be routed through neighboring ports, according to Uruguayan media.

Source: Argenports

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