Posted on April 8, 2026
By Sylvia Schandert
Dredging operations in the Itajaí-Açu River channel began this Saturday, April 4, 2026. The operation was monitored by the Itajaí Port Authority starting at 7:30 a.m. and marks the beginning of the work outlined in the contract signed with Van Oord, which is responsible for the maintenance dredging of the waterway access channel.
The contract was signed for R$ 63.8 million, with an initial term of 12 months and the possibility of extension, in accordance with legal provisions, for up to 48 months, ensuring greater predictability for channel maintenance and port operations in the coming years.
According to civil engineer and dredging superintendent at Van Oord, Stephanie Creato Souza, the work began with water injection dredging, taking advantage of available berths at the Port of Itajaí for material removal and restoration of operational depths.
“We are starting today the water injection dredging service with the dredger Njord, and we are taking advantage of available berths to remove materials and restore the operational depths of the Port of Itajaí. The goal is to maintain navigability and safe maneuverability in the channel,” she said.
Dredging is considered essential to ensure navigability, channel maneuverability, and the regularity of operations at the Port of Itajaí, reinforcing operational safety and the logistical competitiveness of the port complex.
