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The dredger Vox Amália started a maintenance campaign in the Paranaguá Channel, which received 2,892 ships in 2025. The vessel operates 24 hours a day and is expected to last until the end of June to preserve the draft of 13.3 meters.
With intense movement of ships and more than 40 kilometers in length, the Paranaguá Channel has started receiving a new maintenance dredging campaign initiated by Portos do Paraná. The operation, carried out by the Dutch dredger Vox Amália, is expected to continue until the end of June and aims to preserve the necessary depth for the safe passage of vessels in the main waterway access of the Paraná ports.
The action takes place after the gradual accumulation of sediments at the bottom of the channel, a natural phenomenon that reduces the space available for the passage of ships. According to the news agency of the Government of Paraná, the service is essential to maintain the operational draft of 13.3 meters currently used at the Port of Paranaguá.
How does dredging work in the Paranaguá Channel?
Before the removal of sediments, technical teams conduct a survey called bathymetry. The procedure measures submerged depths and identifies the points where intervention is needed.
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With the data in hand, the dredging operation begins to act directly in the areas most affected by the accumulation of material at the bottom of the channel.
According to Julia Teresa Bruch, Maritime Engineering Coordinator at Portos do Paraná, maintenance ensures suitable conditions for the navigation of vessels.
The operation covers the stretch between the entrance of the Paranaguá Channel and the Antonina turning basin.
Operation structure works without interruption
The dredger Vox Amália operates continuously, functioning 24 hours a day throughout the campaign.
The equipment belongs to the company Van Oord and has the capacity to store up to 18,000 cubic meters of sediments in its internal tank.
According to Jonathan Evangelista Ferreira, Infrastructure and Docking Coordinator at Portos do Paraná, the process occurs in cycles:
- Removal of accumulated sediments;
- Transport of the material in the vessel’s internal structure;
- Disposal in an area considered safe;
- Restart of the operation in the channel.
Portos do Paraná also informed that all procedures follow environmental standards provided for this type of activity.
Dredging helps Paraná ports maintain historic operation
The maintenance of the channel occurs amid the growth of port movement recorded by the public company.
In 2025 alone, the waterway access received 2,892 ships. The operational performance helped Paraná ports achieve movement exceeding 73.5 million tons of cargo.
Check out the main numbers released:
| Indicator | Reported Data |
| Channel length | More than 40 km |
| Operational draft | 13.3 meters |
| Ships received in 2025 | 2,892 |
| Cargo movement | More than 73.5 million tons |
| Dredger capacity | 18,000 m³ |
Environmental window guides dredging schedule
The maintenance campaign is being conducted by the Itiberê Dredging Consortium, responsible for executing the service for Portos do Paraná.
The schedule follows requirements linked to the so-called environmental window, a set of rules that determines appropriate periods and conditions for carrying out this type of activity.
Additionally, the program foresees the completion of the work by the end of June.
Sediments reduce channel depth over time
The need for dredging arises because the channel bed naturally accumulates sediments over the months. This process decreases the depth available for navigation and can compromise the safe passage of ships.
For this reason, periodic maintenance operations are carried out to preserve the operational conditions of maritime access.
The port administration’s expectation is to maintain the logistical efficiency of the navigation corridor used daily by vessels arriving at the ports of Paraná.
Source: Government of Paraná
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