High sedimentation increases pressure for an independent concession for the Itajaí channel

Dredging of the access channel to the Itajaí Port Complex, in Santa Catarina, became more urgent after a campaign removed more than 2 million cubic meters of sediment. The volume was above the 600,000-to-800,000-cubic-meter range normally removed in regular operations, according to information attributed to the port administration.

The superintendent of the Port of Itajaí, Artur Antunes Pereira, linked the increase in sedimentation to heavy rains in the region and the gradual release of water and accumulated material from dams in the Itajaí-Açu River basin. The influence of El Niño was also identified as a factor increasing rainfall and the arrival of sediment in the channel.

Against this backdrop, the port administration believes that the current model may need to be supplemented if deposition remains at an exceptional level. The possibilities under discussion include a contract amendment or an emergency contract. The central concern is to preserve navigability conditions while the decision on a new concession moves forward.

The proposal under review would transfer administration of the waterway access to the private sector, including dredging, maintenance, channel deepening, and work on access structures. The project contemplates a 25-year contract and investments of R$ 350 million, but still depends on analysis by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). Publication of the tender notice is conditional on completion of the economic model and the processing of the case by the regulatory agency.

At the same time, the Federation of Industries of Santa Catarina (Fiesc) asked the federal government and Antaq to act urgently and argued that the channel concession should be structured separately from terminal operations. In the organization’s view, independence would make it possible to maintain dredging, deepen the channel, and expand the turning basin without making these activities subject to possible contractual or operational obstacles at the terminals.

The channel serves ship traffic in the complex formed by the Port of Itajaí, Portonave in Navegantes, and other private terminals. Fiesc also highlighted the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events and the need for a model capable of activating maintenance services whenever river conditions require it.

The organization submitted its request for urgency in a letter sent on Friday (7). At the time, the reported expectation was that Antaq would analyze the case on Thursday (13), possibly followed by publication of the auction notice. The Itajaí City Government also brought questions to the Ministry of Ports and Airports and to Antaq after a meeting with representatives of the productive sector and the port community. One of the issues raised was the transition period between the current model and future management.