The American P&I Club has issued an alert to inform interested parties on how drought has impacted river operations in Brazil.
As the Club informs, the Amazon region is currently experiencing an environmental crisis, including unprecedented drought conditions that have drastically reduced river water levels, making navigation increasingly risky, leading to a state of emergency being declared. Recent reports of severe drops in water levels include:
- Rio Negro River: Water levels have dropped rapidly at Manaus to 52.5 feet (15.99 meters), dramatically affecting river transportation. The addition of sandbags and port locations has further complicated logistics at Manaus.
- Solimōes River: Water depth has reached 5.9 feet (1.79 meters) at Tabatinga, 7.5 feet (2.3 meters) at Itapéua, and 33 feet (10.15 meters) at Fonte Boa.
- Madeira River: Water depth has dropped to 2 feet (0.6 meters) at Porto Velho.
- Acre River: Water depth has dropped to 4.2 feet (1.28 meters).
- Tapajós River: Water levels are near record lows at Itaituba.
- Amazon River: Water levels at Óbidos have fallen to 3.8 feet (1.17 meters). The river is on the verge of being unnavigable for large ships, with larger ships now being replaced by smaller barges able to navigate shallower waters.
Drought conditions are forecasted to deteriorate further in the coming months, and the Amazon River may become unnavigable for larger vessels.
Recommendations:
According to the Club, operators should consider the following:
- Check with local agents and correspondents to determine if conditions permit safe navigation in inland Brazilian rivers.
- If navigating waters in the region:
- Stay up to date on local navigation restrictions and weather forecasts.
- Adjust operations and draft requirements accordingly to ensure safe navigation.
- Establish and maintain contact with local authorities and agents for updates on navigating conditions.
