📋 Tender Overview
Maintenance dredging in the access channel to the Port of Itajai (SC) was resumed last Saturday (4). The operation marks the reestablishment of services and has a contract worth R63.8 million, which guarantees the continuity of dredging for the next 12 months, with the possibility of extension for up to 48 months, which ensures navigability conditions and the regularity of port operations for the next few years.
The resumption of services occurs through coordinated action between the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), the Port Authority of Santos (APS), which managed the port until the end of 2025, and Companhia Docas do Estado da Bahia (Codeba), responsible for the transitional administration of the complex.
The Minister of Ports and Airports, Tome Franca, highlighted that the resumption of dredging represents an important step towards the stability of operations and the development of the region. We are ensuring the continuity of an essential service for the operation of the port and for the local economy. This joint work ensures more predictability, strengthens logistics and creates the conditions for Itajai to advance in a new cycle of growth with more investments and generation of opportunities, he stated.
We are ensuring the continuity of an essential service for the operation of the port and the local economy
Operational continuity
Dredging is essential to guarantee the adequate depth of the channel, allowing the safe operation of vessels and the maintenance of logistical activity in the region. With the new contract, the port now has greater stability in the execution of services, reducing operational risks and guaranteeing the flow of cargo.
The execution of the works includes the use of specialized equipment to remove sediment and recover the appropriate depth of the channel (the so-called operational quotas), contributing to the efficiency of the port complex.
The national secretary of Ports, Alex Avila, highlighted the operational gains and recognized the performance of the institutions involved. I want to thank and congratulate the Port Authority of Santos, the Superintendency of the Port of Itajai and Codeba for the work carried out in resuming dredging. This coordinated action was essential to guarantee the continuity of services, ensure adequate navigability conditions and bring more predictability to port operations in the coming years, he stated.
Management and resumption of the port
The resumption of dredging is part of a broader process of restructuring the Port of Itajai, led by the Federal Government since the resumption of management of the complex. After a period of interruption of activities, in 2022, with the aim of privatizing the port, operations were reestablished in December 2023, with the signing of a provisional contract and the federalization of management, ensuring the continuity of operations and the preservation of jobs.
Subsequently, measures were adopted to strengthen the terminals governance and operation, including the transition of administration to the Santos Port Authority (APS), considering its strong management capacity and financial stability. At the end of 2025, administration was transferred to Codeba, which began to operate in partnership with the Superintendency of the Port of Itajai, ensuring institutional stability and continuity of services.
Since then, the port has been showing operational recovery and resuming cargo movement, once again consolidating itself as a strategic asset for logistics in the South region.
Ultimate solution
In parallel with the resumption of dredging, the Federal Government is advancing in structuring the definitive solution for the Port of Itajai. The concession project for the complex is in the final phase of analysis at the Federal Audit Court (TCU), with a deliberation expected in April.
The expectation is that the port auction will be held in the first half of this year, consolidating a new investment cycle and ensuring greater predictability for the production sector and logistics operators.
National model
The strategy adopted in Itajai is aligned with MPors policy for modernizing waterway infrastructure in the country, with a focus on ensuring continuous maintenance of access channels and increasing the competitiveness of Brazilian ports.
An example of this guideline is the concession model that integrates port access channels and waterway sections, already forwarded by the ministry to the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). The proposal provides for direct investments and establishes a model that ensures regular dredging, maintenance of operational depth and greater predictability in the management of waterway infrastructure.
Special Social Communication AdvisoryMinistry of Ports and Airports
