Effects of Drought on Navigation in the Amazon River
The dry period affecting the northern region of the country is already affecting navigation on the Amazon River and could reduce its transportation capacity by 40% in two weeks and up to 50% in October. The estimate is from the Brazilian Association of Coastal Shipowners (Abac), which monitors the flow at three different points, identifying a daily drop of up to 35 centimeters, while the average for this period is 25. The sector charges for shares of emergency, which, according to the government, are being studied.
Drought is seasonal and is observed every year. This one, however, would have arrived earlier than expected.
Since August, the Brazilian Navy decided to restrict navigation in the rivers of the state of Amazonas, reaching three points: the Tabocal Pass, 339 kilometers from Manaus, and the inlets of the Madeira Enseada River and the Purus River with the Solimões River. The fear of the shipping sector is that the next affected will be the Amazon River itself, the main waterway in the region.
In the worst case, for safety reasons, navigation on the Amazon River will not be possible. It turns out that the ships that transit it are what allow production to flow and maintain the supply of the region with basic inputs for the entire population and the local industry.
Last year, the reduction in transportation capacity was, on average, 40%, compared to the 50% estimated for this year. The products that suffer the greatest impact are the heaviest, such as food (rice, frozen and refrigerated), cement, metals, ceramics, porcelain, and fertilizers.
“Manaus is an island, without production of products such as lettuce and rice. We are the ones who bring the supplies there, the iron, the sand, the cement. And we also removed the production that was done there. And since we cannot navigate with the normal volume of cargo, we already foresee a 45% reduction in our transportation capacity for two weeks,” says Abac executive director Luis Fernando Resano.
The Impact on the Local Population and Economy
The crisis affects the population, which can translate into a direct increase in the price of products, shortages, and increases in shipments. The Manaus Free Trade Zone is also affected, which cannot sell its products, which, depending on the duration of the crisis, could cause shortages in the South and Southeast markets, especially on “Black Friday.”
Possible Measures to Mitigate the Drought Problem
While the drought problem is largely outside of human control, there are initiatives that can be used for mitigation. At this time, emergency dredging is necessary in the Madeira River inlet on the stretch that reaches the Amazon. “That area is clogged, with sand accumulation. Dredging would be needed to open the channel so that ships can navigate close to capacity,” says Resano.
The Ministries of Transport and Ports and Airports were contacted regarding the situation. The Ports department says that the body responsible for navigation safety is the Brazilian Navy, which indicates the possibilities or possible restrictions and the impracticality of traveling certain sections. The Ministry of Ports and Airports, together with the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (Dnit), are monitoring the situation and are prepared to carry out the necessary interventions in the possibly indicated sections.
Technological Solutions
Mario Veraldo, CEO of MTM Logix and former director of Maersk, suggests technology combined with “strategic acumen” as a solution. He cites supply chain control towers and advanced navigation systems as examples. Control towers offer centralized oversight of the entire supply chain, allowing companies to monitor their shipments, assess stock levels in real-time and anticipate potential disruptions. Advanced navigation systems equipped with real-time data on water depth and potential obstructions ensure that boats navigate the challenging river terrain safely and efficiently.
Veraldo also highlights the adoption of smaller boats as another strategy. Despite higher costs, smaller vessels allow navigation in more challenging situations, providing a renewed perspective on traditional methods.
Conclusion
The drought in the northern region of Brazil is already having a significant impact on navigation in the Amazon River. The transportation capacity of the river is expected to be reduced by 40% to 50%, affecting the supply of essential goods to the region. The crisis leads to increases in prices, shortages, and disruptions in the Manaus Free Trade Zone. Measures such as emergency dredging and the use of advanced technology can help mitigate the effects of the drought. However, the long-term solution requires proactive measures to address the seasonal nature of the drought and its impact on navigation and the local economy.
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The dry period affecting the northern region of the country is already affecting navigation on the Amazon River and could reduce its transportation capacity by 40% in two weeks and up to 50% in October. The estimate is from the Brazilian Association of Coastal Shipowners (Abac), which monitors the flow at three different points, identifying a daily drop of up to 35 centimeters, while the average for this period is 25. The sector charges for shares of emergency, which, according to the government, are being studied.
Drought is seasonal and is observed every year. This one, however, would have arrived earlier than expected.
Since August, the Brazilian Navy decided to restrict navigation in the rivers of the state of Amazonas, reaching three points: the Tabocal Pass, 339 kilometers from Manaus, and the inlets of the Madeira Enseada River and the Purus River with the Solimões River. The fear of the shipping sector is that the next affected will be the Amazon River itself, the main waterway in the region.
In the worst case, for safety reasons, navigation on the Amazon River will not be possible. It turns out that the ships that transit it are what allow production to flow and maintain the supply of the region with basic inputs for the entire population and the local industry.
Last year, the reduction in transportation capacity was, on average, 40%, compared to the 50% estimated for this year. The products that suffer the greatest impact are the heaviest, such as food (rice, frozen and refrigerated), cement, metals, ceramics, porcelain and fertilizers.
“Manaus is an island, without production of products such as lettuce and rice. We are the ones who bring the supplies there, the iron, the sand, the cement. And we also removed the production that was done there. And since we cannot navigate with the normal volume of cargo, we already foresee a 45% reduction in our transportation capacity for two weeks,” says Abac executive director Luis Fernando Resano.
The crisis affects the population, which can translate into a direct increase in the price of products, shortages and increases in shipments. The Manaus Free Trade Zone is also affected, which cannot sell its products, which, depending on the duration of the crisis, could cause shortages in the South and Southeast markets, especially on “Black Friday.”
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Resano says that although the drought problem is largely outside of human control, there are initiatives that can be used for mitigation. At this time, he states that emergency dredging is necessary in the Madeira River inlet on the stretch that reaches the Amazon. “That area is clogged, with sand accumulation. Dredging would be needed to open the channel so that ships can navigate close to capacity,” he says.
oh Status/Transmission The Ministries of Transport and Ports and Airports were contacted, since both have initiatives linked to the sector. The Ports department says that the body responsible for navigation safety is the Brazilian Navy, which indicates the possibilities or possible restrictions and the impracticality of traveling certain sections.
“The Ministry of Ports and Airports, together with the National Department of Transport Infrastructure (Dnit), are monitoring the situation and are prepared to carry out the necessary interventions in the possibly indicated sections,” the note states.
Technology can be your ally
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For Mario Veraldo, CEO of MTM Logix and former director of Maersk, the solution lies in technology combined with “strategic acumen.” He cites supply chain control towers as an example. “They offer centralized oversight of the entire supply chain, allowing companies to monitor their shipments, assess stock levels in real time and anticipate potential disruptions,” he says.
In parallel with control towers, it advocates advanced navigation systems. “As water levels in the Amazon show unpredictable fluctuations, the chances of navigation errors have decreased. These state-of-the-art systems, equipped with real-time data on water depth and potential obstructions, ensure that boats navigate the challenging river terrain safely and efficiently,” explains Veraldo.
Another strategy highlighted by Veraldo is the adoption of smaller boats. “Although technology offers a multitude of solutions, sometimes the answer lies in reviewing traditional methods with a renewed perspective,” he argues. Even with higher costs, smaller vessels allow navigation in more challenging situations.
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