TSHD Utrecht restores operational drafts at Port of Itajaí

The latest maintenance dredging program at the Port of Itajaí, launched earlier this year by the Santos Port Authority (APS), has already yielded operational capacity gains for the port complex.

Last week, the Brazilian Navy officially approved the new depths achieved, allowing for the restoration of operational drafts at the port.

“The resumption of efficient maintenance dredging was the first challenge undertaken by APS-Itajaí since January 2, and we are proud to say that this administration has successfully met that challenge,” said APS President, Anderson Pomini.

“The dredging covered the inner and outer channels, turning basins, and berthing areas. In parallel, we maintained seabed monitoring efforts to track depth levels, which facilitated coordination with pilots and maritime authorities.”

The operations were carried out using the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Utrecht, which has a capacity of approximately 18,000 cubic meters. 

In the inner channel, the shallowest depth recorded increased from 13.2 to 13.6 meters. In the outer channel, depths went from 13.9 to 14 meters, while in Evolution Basin No. 1, they improved from 12.9 to 13.6 meters.

According to APS, these efforts successfully achieved the target depths of 13.5 meters in the inner channel and 14 meters in the outer channel.