en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brazilian Ports and Airports Ministry (Ministério de Portos e Aeroportos, MPor) is investing R$293.8 million from the federal budget to advance rock blasting works at the Novo Avanhandava Stone Rapids in Buritama, inland São Paulo state, aiming to expand the navigability of the Tietê-Paraná Waterway (Hidrovia Tietê-Paraná). The project, expected to be completed by June 2026, is now in its final phase.
The Tietê-Paraná Waterway is a key corridor connecting production regions in central-western and southeastern Brazil to the logistics system of the Port of Santos, primarily transporting goods such as soybeans, corn, sugar, soybean meal, and inputs. The Novo Avanhandava waterway project targets a sensitive stretch of the waterway where underwater rock formations limit vessel draft depth. By removing underwater rocks and increasing channel depth, the project is expected to stabilize cargo transport. The plan involves deepening a 16-kilometer stretch by 3.5 meters and removing approximately 552,000 cubic meters of underwater rock from the Tietê River bed. The project is carried out in partnership between the Ports and Airports Ministry, the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (Departamento Nacional de Infraestrutura de Transportes, Dnit), and the São Paulo state government, with funding from a special fund for waterway infrastructure modernization.
The waterway expansion aims to reduce navigation bottlenecks and improve integration between different modes of transport. Ports and Airports Minister Tomé Franca stated that the project is strategic for the Tietê-Paraná Waterway, helping to lower logistics costs and enhance the competitiveness of Brazilian products. According to government assessments, water transport can improve efficiency in bulk cargo movement, especially when properly connected to terminals, highways, and railways. The project is expected to allow the passage of larger, more stable barge fleets, maintaining operations even during dry periods when reservoir levels drop.
The removal of underwater rocks is carried out under controlled conditions with environmental monitoring. The project uses underwater blasting techniques, along with safety measures such as bubble curtains, and suspends blasting during the fishing ban period to protect fish reproduction. Rock material removed from the riverbed can be reused locally to reduce additional transport needs and truck movements. The Ports and Airports Ministry emphasizes that navigation will not be completely interrupted during construction, with work areas coordinated with vessel traffic and safety requirements.
The Ports and Airports Ministry announced the project investment at R$293.8 million. Although the cost mentioned in the São Paulo state government announcement differs, official sources all point to the same core objective: removing stone rapids, increasing channel depth, and improving navigation conditions in the Novo Avanhandava stretch. The project is also linked to the operation of reservoirs used for power generation, with the Ports and Airports Ministry noting that water level changes can affect navigation and highlighting the need for increased depth at bottleneck points. Waterway Administration Director Eliezé Bulhões believes the project will improve operational predictability throughout the year, benefiting more stable and efficient cargo transport even during dry periods. The project has entered a phase of interest for shippers, logistics operators, and public agencies related to waterway transport.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
