Brazil's minister at the Special Secretariat for Ports, Pedro Brito Nascimento, announced this Thursday, June 19, that the Brazilian federal government is going to carry out dredging work at the Port of Paranaguá, which should have a permanent draft depth of 15 meters (49 feet).
According to him, the project was moved up and included in the Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) of the federal government. The commitment to delivering the work was taken on during a meeting with businessmen, promoted by the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep).
"Along with the state government and the FIEP, we are going to work on obtaining environmental licenses for the dredging. As soon as those are cleared, we are going to tender the work," stated the minister.
He presented to the businessmen the details of the Development Program for the National Port Sector, which highlights the need for increasing the depth at the Galheta Channel, which should be as deep as the draft at the Port of Santos, the country's largest.
"We discussed how to move up the date for the initial dredging, for it to take place still this year," said the minister.
Nascimento claimed that emergency dredging in Paranaguá must start "right away." "Paranaguá needs permanent dredging," he asserted. "The state of Paraná is economically efficient, and cannot be harmed by logistical problems," he told the businessmen.
"I am absolutely certain that the state government and the superintendence at the Port want Paranaguá to rank among the best ports in Brazil," he said. He also stated that there are few dredges available worldwide.
CNI
