Chinese dredging technology brings vitality to Brazilian ports

The Xin Hai Ma

CCCC Shanghai Dredging Co., Ltd, a subsidiary of China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), has been carrying out dredging work for ports in Brazil since 1999, improving their operational capability and contributing to the local economy.

Xin Hai Ma, the trailing suction hopper dredger of the Chinese company’s Brazilian branch, created substantial economic benefits for the Port of Paranagua in south Brazil, said Wan Yanjun, the dredger's captain.

It helped broaden the waterway of the port from the previous 200 meters to 250 meters, and also deepened the navigation channel, Wan noted.

Thanks to these efforts, the port's annual throughput increased from a historical high of 46.1 million tons in 2013 to 51.5 million tons in 2017. The figure for March of this year was 4.9 million tons, setting another record high.

The Port of Itajai, the second largest container port of Brazil, also benefited from the Chinese company’s technology.

Following the El Nino phenomenon in 2016 which caused the economic loss of over 31 million reals (about $7.69 million) in Brazil, the port's passage for container liners was restored within a week thanks to two Chinese trailing suction hopper dredgers.

Statistics indicate that over 100,000 jobs in the city of Itajai are related to the port, accounting for nearly half of the city’s total population. Furthermore, industries relating to the port make up more than 70 percent of the city’s entire financial revenue.

Also, the Chinese enterprise pays close attention to the protection of the local environment, while ensuring project quality, said Hu Zhongqiang, a manager of the company.

In order to protect the local environment and wildlife, the Chinese dredgers usually slow down or stop to wait for the dolphins to swim away, noted Tang Bin, a Chinese engineer for the company.

“China’s dredging technology is advanced and highly automated. I have learned a lot and picked up skills here,” said Brazilian engineer Marcelo at the company, adding that Brazil needs the Chinese technology.

Although standards for acceptance of dredging work in Brazil are the strictest in the industry, the passing rate of dredging projects completed by this Chinese enterprise has now reached 99.99 percent, the highest rate in the world to date, Hu noted.