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The Port Authority of Itajaí has brought forward the mobilization of a hopper suction dredge to reinforce dredging operations in the access channel to the Itajaí Port Complex, as part of the preventive measures adopted in response to the effects of the El Niño phenomenon.
The last hopper dredging operation was carried out at the beginning of June. Under normal conditions, the next operation would not have taken place until mid-September, but given the meteorological conditions and the increased river flow recorded in recent weeks, the Superintendence decided to advance the new operation.
This measure aims to maintain navigability conditions, ensure the safety of operations, and provide predictability to the market, shipowners, and terminals operating in the port complex.
The technical team of the Superintendence of the Port of Itajaí carried out an inspection of the spray dredging work performed by the dredge Njord in the Itajaí-Açu River channel. During the monitoring, it was verified on-site that the channel remains navigable, with a depth of up to 14 meters.
According to the Superintendent of the Port of Itajaí, Artur Antunes Pereira, the early start of dredging work is part of a preventive strategy.
"Today our team supervised the spray dredging work along the channel and verified that it remains navigable, with a depth of up to 14 meters. Under normal conditions, the next campaign with the suction dredge would not take place until September, but we decided to advance this work. Our priority is to ensure navigation safety and provide predictability to the market and all port activity," stated the executive.
El Niño Effects Monitored Since June
The Port Authority of Itajaí has been monitoring the effects of El Niño in the waters of the access channel to the Port Complex since June 10, 2026. Among the observed effects is sedimentation with the presence of fluid mud, a condition that has been monitored by technical teams and considered in the planning of channel maintenance actions.
The heavy rains recorded in recent weeks have also led to an increase in the level and flow of the Itajaí-Açu River, increasing the transport of sediments towards the port channel.
"Since June 10, the effects of El Niño have been observed in the channel waters. Among them, sedimentation with fluid mud. Therefore, we maintain permanent monitoring and proactively reinforce dredging to preserve navigability conditions. We anticipate these problems to ensure the safety and predictability of the Port Complex's operations," emphasized the superintendent.
The Port Authority of Itajaí maintains constant vigilance of the channel and, together with Van Oord, reinforces preventive dredging actions to ensure a rapid response to changes caused by meteorological conditions.
