Portuguese 
English 
Spanish 
4 min of reading 
0 comments 
Construction Project of a Private Port Terminal in Arroio do Sal Sparks Debate Between Promises of Logistic Development and Concerns About Environmental and Social Impacts.
The construction of a private port terminal in Arroio do Sal, on the northern coast of Rio Grande do Sul, has mobilized politicians, entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and residents. Named Porto Meridional, the project for a Private Use Terminal (TUP) is defended by its proponents as an old dream — and even credited to Emperor Dom Pedro II.
Despite its historic aura, the current debate is extremely technical, strategic, and primarily environmental. The proposal is surrounded by technical studies, economic interests, and strong political polarization.
Arroio do Sal: Vacation Destination or Logistic Hub?
With only 11,000 permanent residents, according to IBGE (2022), Arroio do Sal can receive more than 90,000 people during the summer. Known for its calm beaches, the city risks seeing its tourist profile transformed by the new port venture.
-
A house with two attached containers and an infinity-edge pool cost R$ 2,100 per square meter with complete finishing in São Roque, while the same floor plan in masonry would cost R$ 4,000 and in steel frame would exceed R$ 4,500, all delivered factory-ready in 70 days.
-
Boskalis targets seabed sand in Australia and proposes a marine operation in Cambridge Gulf to extract up to 70 million m³, without onshore works, with export for construction in Asia.
-
Apple Park impresses with extraordinary engineering: Apple’s headquarters, with 260,000 m² and giant curved glass, redefines corporate architecture and sustainability.
-
Architecture that floats instead of resists surprises specialists: light constructions transform flooded areas into habitable spaces and redefine the concept of resilience
DTA Engenharia, responsible for the project, has already submitted studies to Ibama, initiating the environmental licensing process. The adhesion contract was signed in October 2024, and construction is expected to begin in 2026, with inauguration in 2028.
A Port With Superlative Numbers
Porto Meridional promises to be a logistical revolution for the state:
- Depth of 17 meters
- Capacity for ships up to 399 meters
- Handling of up to 53 million tons/year
- Total estimated investment of R$ 6.5 billion
- Forecast of generating 7,000 direct and indirect jobs
According to the Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul (Fiergs), the project has the potential to attract investments exceeding R$ 4.7 billion in complementary structures, in addition to strengthening the state’s economy.
Political and Business Support for the Terminal
Senator Luiz Carlos Heinze (PP/RS) is one of the leading voices in favor of the terminal. According to him, the location of the port provides geographic and logistics advantages, such as natural depth and favorable sea currents.
“It would take about 400 years of sediment accumulation to justify a dredging similar to that of the Port of Rio Grande,” Heinze states. The parliamentarian believes the new port will drastically reduce logistical costs for companies in Serra Gaúcha, especially in Caxias do Sul.
The creation of the Parliamentary Front in Support of the Port of Arroio do Sal in the Legislative Assembly in 2022 shows that the project has strong political backing.
Criticism and Environmental Alert for the Construction of the Terminal
On the other hand, the project faces strong local and scientific opposition. State Representative Halley Lino (PT), president of the Parliamentary Front in Defense of the Port of Rio Grande, criticizes the initiative.
“The state should create solutions for bottlenecks like roads and tolls, problems that, according to him, have led the cargo sector to migrate to the neighboring state of Santa Catarina,” he says.
However, the greatest concern comes from environmental specialists. Renowned geographer Jefferson Cardia Simões from UFRGS warns about irreversible impacts on beaches and marine life.
“There is a sediment migration occurring from south to north, following the flow of the sea current. The construction of a structure in the sea blocking the flow will cause the beach to the south of the port to increase with sediment deposition, while the beach to the north will suffer erosion. This is the basics of coastal geomorphology,” Simões emphasizes.
Technical Studies for the Construction of the Terminal
Organizations such as the Curicaca Institute question the technical studies presented by DTA Engenharia. According to the technical coordinator of the Institute, Alexandre Krob, the section between Arroio do Sal and Torres is habitat for species such as southern right whales, dolphins, turtles, and sea lions.
“The existence of a port in the area puts the life of these species at risk and jeopardizes the entire local ecosystem,” Krob states.
Additionally, the Unified Movement in Defense of the Northern Coast (Movln/RS) reinforces the critique, alleging that the impacts go far beyond what is anticipated and that the project neglects fundamental ecological factors.
Porto de Rio Grande x Porto Meridional: Rivalry or Complementarity?
Porto de Rio Grande, located in the south of the state, is currently the main port terminal in Rio Grande do Sul. It is connected to Lagoa dos Patos and protected by the jetties at the mouth.
According to Deputy Halley Lino, the port already meets the state’s demand, including for foreign trade with countries like China, which accounts for 43% of the destinations for exports from Rio Grande do Sul.
However, proponents of the new terminal argue that the distance of 464 km between Rio Grande and Caxias do Sul is a hurdle. The port of Imbituba (SC), closer to the mountains (380 km), has been an alternative, but local entrepreneurs prefer a solution within the state.
Although the adhesion contract has been signed, the project still depends on environmental licensing. The Ministry of Ports and Airports has already confirmed that without clearance from Ibama, no work can commence.
DTA Engenharia claims that it is complying with all legal requirements and that the terminal will be a “healthy competition” with the Porto de Rio Grande.
Fiergs acknowledges the potential environmental risks but argues that economic development does not have to be exclusive. “The installation of a new port in Arroio do Sal is important to diversify the logistics infrastructure of Rio Grande do Sul, which is currently based solely on Rio Grande. Logistics is one of the elements that most impacts the competitiveness of the gaucho industry,” the entity stated in a note.
Be the first to react!