🔗 Original source of the news: Porto do Açu – Study on dredging recognized with PIANC International seal
A research, development, and innovation (RD&I) project carried out at the Porto do Açu has been internationally recognized by PIANC (Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses) with the Supporter of Working with Nature seal. The certification highlights initiatives that promote sustainable practices in coastal and port engineering, aligned with the principles of integration with nature and the circular economy.
Reproduction of the PIANC Brazil website – https://www.piancbrasil.org.br
The project was developed with a focus on the efficient management of navigation channels and the reuse of dredged slurry. Through an in-depth study of the characteristics of the sediment removed from the channel, the team involved sought ways to sustainably use this material, which is traditionally discarded as waste. The results demonstrate the potential for using the sludge to produce blocks and mortar for use in civil construction, including the possibility of using it within the port itself.
The approach adopted in the study combined hydro-sedimentological modeling, environmental data analysis, and practical experiments to assess the possibilities for reusing the sediments. Although developed based on the specific conditions of the Porto do Açu, the methodology can be replicated in other ports, provided that adaptations are made to the local characteristics of the sediments.
Reproduction of the PIANC Brazil website – https://www.piancbrasil.org.br
In addition to technical recognition, the project also highlights the importance of integration between academia, the private sector, and research funding agencies. Institutions such as the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the State University of Norte Fluminense (UENF) participated in the initiative, as well as the companies Argonautica Engenharia & Pesquisas, MICROARS Engenharia, and Porto do Açu Operações. Funding was provided by CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development) through the Innovative Company program, which provided scholarships for researchers and students.
The certification granted by PIANC reinforces the relevance of Brazil’s role in the international arena of innovation and port sustainability. Being aligned with global best practices and participating in knowledge networks such as PIANC strengthens the strategic role of ports in the transition to more sustainable and resilient operating models.
According to those responsible for the project, the recognition is also a way of giving visibility to the technical and scientific work that has been carried out in Brazil and contributes to the country’s continued leadership in sustainable solutions in the port infrastructure sector.
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