The Santos Port Authority (APS) is awaiting environmental licensing approval to begin modernization and restructuring works on the berths at Ilha Barnabé, on the port’s left bank. The schedule calls for construction to begin within 90 days.
In June this year, the Port Authority launched a public tender to hire a company to upgrade the Ilha Barnabé pier, including structural reinforcement of the quay, restoration of the four mooring dolphins, and pile recovery.
According to the APS, the project meets an operational need, as the current pier infrastructure is outdated and must continue to serve its role in cargo handling at Ilha Barnabé.
The bidding committee declared the IBSA Consortium as the winner of the process. The next step is approval by the Board of Directors (Consad) before signing the contract.
“This project is extremely important, mainly to ensure safety and enable the terminals on the island to continue increasing cargo handling. We are investing approximately R$ 100 million in a project that has already been awarded. Our Environmental Department has completed all the studies and forwarded the process to Ibama, and we are now waiting for the final license,” said Beto Mendes, Operations Director at the Santos Port Authority.
Works without interruption
The quay modernization will not interrupt cargo operations at Ilha Barnabé. While the Bocaina berth is under construction, the São Paulo berth will remain operational, and vice versa.
Additionally, the berths’ restructuring will increase draft depth in the area, enabling the docking of larger vessels and safer maneuvering.
“We’ll be carrying out structural reinforcement to enable deepening of the berth surroundings, currently around 10 meters, to 15 meters. This will extend maintenance dredging intervals, provide greater operational flexibility, and increase berth productivity,” Mendes explained.
Ilha Barnabé is one of the most important areas for the movement of liquid bulk cargo at the Port of Santos, particularly fuels and chemical products. The project aims to keep pace with the port’s growing cargo volumes.
“We are focused on development, growth, and infrastructure across all areas so that we can continue to handle the increasing cargo movement at the Port of Santos. Ilha Barnabé is highly significant for the port — the area accounts for nearly 30% of all liquid bulk and fuel handled,” Mendes concluded.
Source: Portal Be News
