ANTAQ enforces new rule on dredging operations

Brazil’s National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ) decided on Thursday, January 30, that port authorities must submit detailed documents on their dredging plans every six months.

According to ANTAQ officials, the aim of this rule is to ensure greater predictability for maintenance operations and the functioning of access channels, directly benefiting port authorities, the market, and society.

Alber Vasconcelos, the director in charge of the matter, commented: “It is estimated that for every meter below the minimum contracted depth, there is a loss of up to 700 containers per vessel call.”

Moreover, continuous contract monitoring will reduce financial and operational risks, preventing emergency situations that could compromise navigability.

New Requirements

Port authorities must submit the following documents to ANTAQ’s Regional Units:

• Bathymetric data of the navigation channel and berthing areas;
• Volume dredged during the period, type of dredger used, and equipment mobilization time;
• Type of sediment dredged and disposal site;
• Future actions and procurement notices for dredging services;
• Current contracts, amendments, and procurement notices.