A national program in Brazil to boost the country's port capacity by scooping 79 million metric tons (mt) of muck from the beds of the access canals at 18 ports is expected to be near completion by mid-2011. The dredging project is costing 1.6 billion reais (US$942 million).
The second phase of the project will begin in 2011 that will extend the deepening along secondary canals as well. The second phase is expected to cost $1 billion reais (US$596,303) and take four years.
The dredging projects are expected to increase efficiency at the port as well, as currently many freight carriers often can only operate partially loaded.
Even after the project is completed, ports in Southern Brazil will need regular maintenance dredging, at least once or twice a year, while ports in the north and northeast will only require maintenance every two-to-three years as sediment builds up at a slower pace in the north.