Omar Nasser, from Fiep*
Curitiba – The Port of Paranaguá (in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná), the largest port in the south of Brazil, will receive an investment of US$ 60 million for the expansion of the Western wharf. The order for execution of the first phase of the works was signed yesterday (24) by the governor of the state of Paraná, Roberto Requião. In this initial phase, investment will total US$ 12 million.
The funds will be applied, initially, in the remodelling of the existing wharf – to receive new equipment, making it possible for the future docking of large vessels. The initial project also includes the increase of the draft of the port. The current drafts are approximately 8.7 metres, 10.7 metres and 12.7 metres. The overall draft will be increased to 13.7 metros, which will permit the docking of vessels for up to 90 tonnes – vessels of the Panamax and Post-Panamax category – whatever the tides. The current draft does not permit the manoeuvre of vessels of this size when the tide is low.
The total port expansion schedule is three years, of which two will be for initial works. The project also forecasts the expansion of the width of the port area, to 820 metres, which will increase by one-third the ports vessel receipt capacity.
The expansion is going to be managed by company CR Almeida and the funds will be provided by the Paranaguá and Antonina Ports Administration (Appa), which belongs to the state of Paraná. The estimated cost, which was initially estimated at US$ 176 million, had its cost reduced to US$ 60 million after an Appa revision.
Between 2003 and 2004, according to the available figures, the cargo movement in Paranaguá dropped 3.3%, falling from 33.6 million tonnes to 32.5 million. This was caused by a reduction in foreign sales of grain. Revenues, however, rose to US$ 8.4 billion, due to the positive performance of exports of manufactured and semi-manufactured products.
*Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná. Translated by Mark Ament
