The Santos Port Authority (APS) began maintenance dredging of the Port of Santos’ access channel on Monday (11), continuing until January 2025. The R$277.2 million contract with Van Oord, renewed in December 2023, involves removing sediment to maintain a 15-meter depth, ensuring safe navigation. The dredger TSHD Utrecht, with an 18,300 m³ capacity, will operate throughout the internal channel. Despite the Port’s significant sediment volume, APS President Anderson Pomini stressed the dredging’s importance for competitiveness. A 32% cost reduction from R$371 million was achieved by adjusting dredging volumes. APS briefed local fishermen about the operation, focusing on safety and environmental measures, including monitoring sediment disposal to protect marine areas. If privatized, the contract allows for early termination.
Source: A Tribuna / Datamar News