Omar Nasser, from Fiep*
Curitiba – Revenues of Paranaguá Port, in Paraná, southern Brazil, more than doubled in the last three years. There was an increase of 122% between 2002 and 2005, with revenues rising from US$ 4.1 to US$ 9.1 billion. The main reason was investment in expansion and modernization of the structure. Paranaguá is the largest port in Southern Brazil, with a total throughput that exceeded 30 million tonnes last year.
"Paranaguá Port has become a true construction site," stated the port superintendent, Eduardo Requião. Of the total investment of R$ 150 million (around US$ 70 million at current exchange rates), R$ 24 million (about US$ 11 million) correspond to works that have already been concluded. Another R$ 96.5 million (some US$ 44 million) are for works that are still in progress. The remaining funds are for projects that are being tendered or that are awaiting environmental licenses for completion.
Among the works that have already been delivered are the paving of 25 kilometres of access highways in rigid concrete, which received investment of R$ 21 million (US$ 10 million); the remodelling of the Rail Switching Patio, which cost R$ 1.1 million (US$ 500,000); the purchase of highway vehicle balances for access to the primary area, in which investment totalled R$ 340,000 (US$ 150,000); the installation of standardized canteens at the Port Avenue, with investment of R$ 84,500 (US$ 39,000); improvement of lighting at the Rail Switching Patio and at the primary area, with investment of R$ 175,800 (US$ 80,000) and the purchase of 21 vehicles for use in the administrative area, an investment of R$ 704,500 (US$ 320,000).
With regard to the works that are in progress, it is worth mentioning the first phase of the commercial wharf, with improvement in berths 201 and 202 (with a total length of 180 metres), 206, 207 and 208 (covering 180 of the 400 metres existing) and in docking berths 212 and 213; the construction of the Western Wharf and of the terminal specifically for fuel alcohol, for the value of R$ 1.2 million (US$ 550,000); the construction of a new silo for 107,000 tonnes of dry bulk, with investment of R$ 38.9 million (US$ 18 million), among others.
Environmental organizations are studying the establishment of an Industrial Customs District in which 17 companies may establish offices, simplifying bureaucratic procedures for the export and import of products. Viability studies are also taking place for the construction of a new container terminal in the city of Ponta Grossa (approximately 250 kilometres away from the port), which is going to demand investment of R$ 10 million (US$ 4.5 million). Furthermore, tenders for important infrastructure projects are currently under way: among them the dredging of channels, basins and berths, with estimated investment of R$ 35 million (US$ 16 million).
*Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná. Translated by Mark Ament
