BREAKING NEWS from Brazil: DEME wins first-ever auction for port channel concession

DEME won Brazil’s first-ever auction for a port access channel concession yesterday.

The Canal Galheta Dredging Consortium (CCGD), formed by DEME and FTS Participações Societárias S.A. (FTS), secured a 25-year concession contract1 to operate, maintain, and expand the marine access channel to the Port of Paranaguá – Brazil’s second-largest public port in the state of Paraná.

As part of a strategic initiative led by Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ), a tender was launched for the operation and management of the marine access channel to the Port of Paranaguá.

“Recognized as Brazil’s second-largest public port, the Port of Paranaguá plays a critical role in the handling of agribulk, containers, and liquid bulk, which makes this concession a cornerstone in the country’s logistics. Furthermore, the channel expansion reinforces the Port of Paranaguá’s position as one of South America’s leading export gateways,” said DEME.

Under the concession contract, CCGD will be responsible for maintaining, operating, and deepening the channel.

According to DEME, this will ensure that the Port of Paranaguá’s draft increases from its current permissible depth of 13.3 meters to 15.5 meters.

Also, CCGD will be responsible for the management of the nautical signaling and beacon system.

The main work will involve deepening the channel, which will allow larger vessels to access the port, and maintaining the channel’s depth through regular dredging and managing vessel navigation.

DEME also added that the deepening of the channel is set to enable the docking of many of the largest vessels servicing the Brazilian market, which should significantly boost cargo capacity and operational efficiency while ensuring safe and continuous navigation.