On April 28, the Port of Natal in Brazil initiated a dredging operation to address a sandbank obstructing access to the maritime terminal. The dredger Ortelius, operated by Jan De Nul, was deployed to remove 700,000 cubic meters of sediment at a cost of approximately US$1.3 million. The removed sediment will be deposited 4 kilometers offshore, with the operation expected to last up to five days.
Paulo Henrique Macedo, CEO of Companhia Docas do Rio Grande do Norte (Codern), emphasized the necessity of this dredging to prevent further groundings and secure the flow of fruit exports. This task is separate from a larger dredging initiative planned for later in the year, which aims to increase the port's draft from 10 meters to 12.5 meters, contingent upon reinforcing bridge fenders and maintaining the access channel.
Initially, the main dredging operation was awaited. However, Macedo stated, "But we realized we couldn't wait, given the high risk of ships being unable to maneuver." The sandbank was identified as a primary vulnerability of the port, prompting Codern to act after discussions with the Port Authority and Agrícola Famosa, a fruit exporting company, to ensure the upcoming harvest's flow starting in August.
The Ortelius, with its capacity double that of a previous dredger used for beach nourishment, enhances operational efficiency. "With a greater ability to hold sediment, the dredger will require fewer trips to the coast, speeding up the process," said Paulo Sidney, Codern's technical and commercial director. The dredger's tank, holding a minimum of 3,000 cubic meters, supports this efficiency.
This dredging coincides with promising prospects for fruit production in Rio Grande do Norte. Macedo noted, "Last year, Agrícola Famosa used the port without issues, but this intervention is necessary to avoid surprises. We expect more than double the volume of fruit shipped through the Port of Natal this season."
In the 2024/2025 harvest, the terminal handled over 131,537 tons of fruit, more than doubling the previous season's volume. Agrícola Famosa's new palletized shipment method has proven successful in Europe, preserving fruit quality during transit. Consequently, the company seeks to lease the South Yard to strengthen the Port of Natal as a key fruit export hub.
The operation includes a bathymetric survey to assess dredging effectiveness. The public tender for the main dredging project, costing approximately US$11 million, was announced in the Diário Oficial da União, with proposals opening on June 25. The project aims to deepen the port's draft, facilitating access for larger vessels along the 3-kilometer access channel.
Source: DatamarNews