By PorRedaçãoPortalPortuario
The dredging of the external channel of the Port of Suape was homologated by the Brazilian Navy, guaranteeing a depth of 20 meters. The publication of Ordinances No. /2025 and /2025, establishing the operational conditions for using the new channel and the period of progressive operation and assisted maneuvers, marks a strategic advance for the port complex, which will now operate without draft restrictions and with greater efficiency.
The deepening positions the wharf among those with the greatest draft in the country, increasing its competitiveness and attractiveness for investors. With the approval of the Maritime Authority, Suape will be able to receive world-class vessels, such as the Suezmax — a tanker with a draft of 17 meters and cargo capacity between 140,000 and 175,000 tons.
“It is a watershed moment for our port, which already holds the national leadership in the handling of liquid bulk. Suape significantly improves trafficability conditions, the waiting time for docking large ships, and adds more value to operations, with vessels being able to dock safely with maximum cargo capacity,” highlights the complex’s CEO, Armando Monteiro Bisneto.
According to the manager of the state-owned port authority, the elimination of operational restrictions and the entry of larger vessels tend to increase the number of calls, the volume of cargo moved per docking, and the efficient use of available infrastructure.
“With the new homologated depth, Suape increases its attractiveness for port operators, industries, and investors in the logistics and naval sectors, generating an increase in revenue from the use of waterway and land infrastructure tariffs,” points out Bisneto.
Before homologation, ships with a draft greater than 12.8 meters depended on specific tide conditions to access the port. Now, vessels with a draft greater than 15 meters can dock without draft restrictions, which brings greater predictability to planning, reduces idle maneuvers, and expands the use of the docking window.
The last stage of the external channel dredging work, which began on December 1, 2023, and was completed in April 2024, cost R$ 140 million and resulted in the removal of 1.7 million cubic meters of sediment. Carried out by the Dutch company Van Oord, it was completed one month ahead of schedule and without any incidents, as highlighted by Suape’s Infrastructure Director, Renata Loyo.
The project integrates with the future dredging of the internal channel, whose intervention began on August 29 of this year. Budgeted at R$ 217 million — with R$ 100 million from the Ministry of Ports and Airports, via PAC3, and R$ 117 million in state funds, the intervention plans to deepen the channel to 16.2 meters and remove 3.8 million cubic meters of sediment.
The contract also includes the dredging of the turning basin and the Liquid Bulk Piers 3A and 3B, to a depth of 18.5 meters, consolidating Suape as a benchmark logistics and energy hub.
