The Superintendence of the Port of Itajaí (SPI) maintains daily and uninterrupted maintenance dredging operations in the access channel to the Port Complex of Itajaí. The dredge Njord operates permanently to preserve depths, playing a fundamental role in navigation safety and the continuity of port operations, especially in the face of adverse weather conditions recorded in recent months.
The equipment uses the Water Injection Dredging system, a technology that moves sediments deposited at the bottom of the channel. With the action of the Itajaí-Açu River current, this material is transported towards the sea, continuously contributing to the control of silting.
In 2026, the Port Complex of Itajaí faced particularly challenging hydrological conditions, associated with the effects of the El Niño phenomenon. The intensification of rainfall and currents in the Itajaí-Açu River significantly increased the transport and deposition of sediments in the channel, altering the natural silting dynamics and slightly affecting depths in certain sections.
This scenario required a permanent maintenance effort from the port administration, with daily dredging, intensified bathymetric monitoring, and planning of complementary interventions. The changes observed in depths are associated with the intensification of natural sedimentation processes, even with the continuous operation of the maintenance dredge.
Despite the challenges posed by these conditions, the channel remains navigable, respecting the operational limits (FAQ) established by the Brazilian Navy, which aim to ensure the safety of vessels.
The last complete bathymetric survey, carried out in September, identified the following depths:
As part of the maintenance and recovery plan for operational conditions, the Port of Itajaí will receive, in November, the return of the suction dredge, the Draga Utrecht, which will remove sediments from the bottom of the channel.
The new campaign will cover the access channel and the turning basins, complementing the daily work already carried out by the Njord, a water injection dredge.
After the completion of the work, the SPI will forward new bathymetric surveys to the Brazilian Navy for the reestablishment of the channel's design depths.
For the Superintendent of the Port of Itajaí, Artur Antunes Pereira, daily maintenance and reinforced operations demonstrate the federal management's commitment to navigation safety and the efficiency of the port complex.
"It is important to clarify that the Port of Itajaí has daily dredging. The Njord works permanently on channel maintenance, even during this period of exceptionally adverse weather conditions. What we faced in recent months was a significant intensification of the natural silting process, caused by the hydrological conditions associated with El Niño. Even in this scenario, the work was daily, and we continue to invest in solutions to preserve operational conditions. In the coming days, the Draga Utrecht will arrive, which will reestablish the standard depths of the channel. Our commitment is to navigation safety, the continuity of operations, and the development of the Port of Itajaí," highlights Artur.
The Superintendence reinforces that maintenance dredging continues to be carried out daily, with technical monitoring, channel condition monitoring, and permanent coordination with the Brazilian Navy.
These actions are part of a continuous strategy to address the effects of climatic conditions and ensure predictability and safety for the operations of the port complex.
