BESIX and ECB to upgrade the marine infrastructure of Portonave, in the Port of Navegantes (Brazil)

Highlights

• Portonave has awarded BESIX and Empresa Construtora Brasil a 167 million euros EPC contract to improve the existing port infrastructure in the Port of Navegantes.
• The optimisation of the port structure is specifically designed to allow larger vessels to dock in the port. The works will be carried out over 37 months.
• Governor Jorginho dos Santos Mello and the president of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment, Sheila Meirelles, have officially handed over the permit to Portonave during a visit to the Port Terminal in Navegantes on Tuesday 31 January 2023.

Portonave, a subsidiary of Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), one of the world’s largest container terminal operators, has awarded BESIX and Empresa Construtora Brasil (ECB), part of Mota Engil, an EPC contract for a series of marine works to improve the existing port infrastructure in the Port of Navegantes.

On January 31, 2023, His Excellency Governor Jorginho dos Santos Mello, of the State of Santa Catarina, the Vice-Governor Marilisa Boehm and Mrs Sheila Meirelles, president of the Brazilian Institute for the Environment (Instituto do Meio Ambiente, IMA), bestowed the permit to Portonave during a ceremonious visit to the Port, thereby solemnly initiating the commencement of this strategic project.

Located in the city of Navegantes, in southern Brazil, Portonave is Brazil’s first privately owned port terminal, and regularly recognized for being the most performing terminal in the country. As the leader in container-handling in Southern Brazil, it serves the southern, south-eastern and central-western regions of Brazil and other South American countries and handles cargo from all over the world. The optimisation of the port structure is specifically designed to allow larger vessels to dock in the port.

BESIX is the lead contractor in the consortium formed with the Brazilian company ECB, appointed to deliver this 167 million euros EPC contract. This technically complex contract includes the construction of a new quay wall in the same location as the existing structure, while keeping the port operational.

The contract award follows a period of Early Contractor Involvement during which Portonave, BESIX and ECB worked collaboratively to determine the best technical solutions, develop the design and methods to optimise project cost, and estimate prices by working in an open book.

Jean-Baptiste de Ghellinck, Deputy General Manager BESIX International: “Together with our Brazilian partner ECB, we have optimised the design by providing value engineering and presented a strong, competitive solution to the Client. The Client’s terminals are known for their strategic locations around the world, and Portonave is well positioned at the heart of world trade. We are therefore pleased and honoured to be trusted by Portonave for improving its port infrastructure.”

Works will be carried out over 37 months and are expected to start during the first quarter of 2023.