Work will focus on the HN-117 waterway stretch between Porto Velho and
the river's mouth in Amazonas, which includes the BR-230 highway crossing.
National Secretary for Waterways and Navigation Otto Luiz Burlier explained
that the action strengthens a regional management model designed to anticipate
hydrological variations.The initiative forms part of the Amazon waterway
dredging and maintenance plan, which is coordinated by the Ministry of Ports
and Airports in partnership with the National Department of Transport
Infrastructure.
Recent severe dry spells in 2023 and 2024
restricted navigation at critical points, forcing vessels to reduce cargo and
disrupting essential supplies.
Although the river currently measures around 10.37 metres in Porto
Velho, the secretariat's waterway monitoring panel noted that previous levels
dropped to approximately 8.5 metres in 2024 and 7.5 metres in 2023. To maintain
predictability for river transport, the federal government said it continues to
reinforce nautical signalling and monitor navigation conditions.