The draga Utrecht it returned to the Itajaí port complex after hydrological conditions improved in the Itajaí-Açu river basin, allowing dredging work to resume in the access channel.
The draga Utrecht resumes operations in Itajaí
Dredging operations in the access channel to the Itajaí port complex have resumed with the return of the draga Utrecht. The vessel, operated by Van Oord it arrived again at the Port of Itajaí on August 30 after an improvement was recorded in the conditions of the Itajaí-Açu river basin.
The Utrecht had temporarily suspended its operations due to heavy rains and the high flow of the river, factors that hindered the efficient development of the work.
According to local media, the increased flow caused a greater displacement of sediment and suspended material into the access channel. This situation made dredging efforts less effective, as new sediment continued to accumulate while the work was underway.
Van Oord resumes sediment removal
With the decrease in flow and the improvement of hydrological conditions, the Utrecht was able to return to the area and resume the removal of the material deposited at the bottom of the canal.
Work is now focused on restoring the depths planned for access to the port complex, a necessary condition to maintain navigation and the operations of vessels using this infrastructure.
The behavior of the Itajaí-Açu River has a direct influence on these tasks; during periods of heavy rain, the increased flow can transport larger amounts of sediment to the canal, affecting both its depths and the efficiency of maintenance operations.
La Utrecht will remain operational in Itajaí
According to the plan, the draga Utrecht will continue working at the Itajaí port complex until the planned depths for the access channel are fully restored.
The continuity of operations will be conditioned by the evolution of the hydrological conditions of the basin, especially by the flow level and the transport of sediments.
The return of the Utrecht allows work to resume after being interrupted by the rains and progress to be made again in restoring the operational conditions of the Itajaí access channel.
Source: Dredging Today.
Photo: Van Oord
