Work

Unlocking Brazil’s Maritime Potential: Expanding Ports for Post-Panamax Operations

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Brazilian port sector faces an urgent need for modernization to meet the demands of the contemporary global economy. A significant challenge lies in the shallow depth of access channels, which hinders the navigation of larger ships with deeper drafts, and the fact that many ports are constrained by the proximity of large cities, limiting their expansion. This study aims to identify Brazilian ports with the potential to accommodate post-Panamax ships, a critical component of modern maritime trade. Using a multi-criteria evaluation system, five key criteria were selected: water depth, land capacity for expansion, dredging requirements, water accessibility, and transport infrastructure. These criteria were systematically applied to 210 Brazilian port facilities, analyzed through QGIS 3.38.3 software using satellite imagery and literature sources. To prioritize the most suitable ports, Pareto analysis and quartile analysis were employed, resulting in the identification of 58 port facilities as prime candidates for expansion. This research provides a data-driven framework to guide the modernization of Brazilian ports, positioning them to better serve the growing demands of the global maritime industry.

Source: Journal of Marine Science and Engineering

DOI: 10.3390/jmse13050938

Authors: Adriane Marques Pimenta, Martí Puig, Danielle Laura Bridi Mallman, Rodrigo Affonso de Albuquerque Nóbrega, R. M. Darbra

Institutions: Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

Language: English

Topic: Maritime Ports and Logistics

Subfield: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137