Brazil’s Itajaí Port Moves To Remove 133-Year-Old Wreck To Expand Capacity For Larger Ships

The Port of Itajaí in Brazil has launched a critical operation to remove a 133-year-old shipwreck that has long obstructed deep-water navigation channels. The vessel, deliberately scuttled by its captain in 1893 during the Federalist Revolution to evade rebel capture, currently limits the port's ability to accommodate modern, larger container ships. By clearing this historic wreckage, port authorities aim to expand capacity and improve maritime safety, ensuring that the Itajaí waterway meets the demands of contemporary global shipping logistics.

The removal of such underwater obstructions is governed by the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, which mandates that states identify and clear hazards that pose a risk to navigation or the marine environment. Furthermore, compliance with SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 9, requires port authorities to ensure that hydrographic services are adequate for safe passage. For compliance departments and vessel operators, this project underscores the necessity of adhering to IHO standards for electronic navigational charts, as outdated bathymetric data regarding sunken wrecks can lead to significant insurance liabilities and operational delays.

For navigating officers and masters, this development signifies a vital change in pilotage and approach procedures at Itajaí. Navigating officers must update their Passage Plans and check the latest Notices to Mariners to account for the removal of this long-standing hazard. Masters should verify that their bridge teams are briefed on the revised channel depths and updated buoyage systems, as the removal will likely alter current flow patterns and designated anchorage areas within the port limits.