Ports of Itajaí and Navegantes closed
Since Wednesday (4th), ships have been unable to access the maritime routes of the ports of Itajaí and Navegantes on the northern coast of Santa Catarina. The cause is the impact of the extratropical cyclone in the ocean. The Piloting Department is still calculating the losses caused by this temporary suspension of embarkation and disembarkation, with a complete report to be released soon.
Main Highlights:
- Impact of the extratropical cyclone
- Consequences for navigation and the economy
- Safety measures and next steps
Impact of the Extratropical Cyclone
According to Navegantes Civil Protection, the cyclone significantly affected the weather, generating strong winds between 55 km/h and 70 km/h in a southwest direction along the entire coast of Santa Catarina. Currently, the risk of wind-related events in the city is considered moderate.
Consequences for Navigation
As the cyclone moves towards the sea, the strong winds make the sea extremely rough, causing waves between 2 and 3.5 meters high. The current was so strong that a mooring line of a ship docked at the port of Itajaí broke, and the pilot, along with the tugboat, had to bring the ship back to the quay. However, due to the water speed in the Itajaí River, which reaches 8 knots, retying the lines was not sufficient.
Ship was held by tugboats – Photo: Edson Francisco Silva
The team tried to transfer the ship to Portonave, but there was no available space. The Port of Itajaí emphasized that the ship was docked at a public terminal operated by another company. Each day the vessel remains idle represents an estimated loss between $30,000 and $50,000.
Safety Measures and Next Steps
Port authorities are closely monitoring the situation and taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of the vessels and personnel. With the cyclone moving away from the sea, it is expected that conditions will improve in the coming days, allowing for the resumption of normal operations at the ports of Itajaí and Navegantes.
