DP World Brazil Stands Out at Ibama’s Wildlife Programs Forum

Aligned with its global sustainability strategy, which includes ocean protection and the development of the communities where the company operates, DP World continually invests in programs to monitor the risks of its activities, with a focus on environmental conservation. Among these initiatives, the Aquatic Fauna Monitoring Program stands out. It includes activities focused on benthic communities—organisms that live on the bottom of rivers, lakes, and oceans, including those fixed to submerged pillars that support the company’s terminal quay on the left bank of the Port of Santos (SP).

This program, initiated in 2013 and carried out by the company to this day, emphasizes the analysis of ecological succession and the preservation of marine biodiversity. It was one of 13 programs selected for presentation at the II Wildlife Programs Forum of Federal Environmental Licensing (Fórum de Programas de Fauna do Licenciamento Ambiental Federal – LAF), promoted by the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama). Held from April 2 to 4 at the Institute’s main auditorium in Brasília, the event aimed to showcase environmental advancements achieved through mitigation and compensation measures in federally licensed projects.

“Balancing economic development with sustainability is part of our DNA,” said Cacio Amado, Health, Safety and Environment Manager at DP World Brazil. “Since construction began, we’ve maintained rigorous environmental monitoring, ensuring that our operations go hand in hand with marine life preservation, reaffirming our commitment to ecosystem conservation and the responsible conduct of our business.”

As part of the terminal’s environmental licensing process, since the beginning of construction in 2006, the company has invested approximately BRL 12 million in over 30 projects focused on the region’s fauna and flora.

Monitoring of Benthic Communities Associated with Port Structures

The monitoring of benthic communities aims to assess the effects of the implementation and operation of DP World’s port terminal, with a focus on the colonization of submerged hard structures and the creation of new habitats. Required as part of the terminal’s licensing, the program has shown positive results, supporting the growth of marine organisms that have settled on the pier’s structures, along with associated fauna, forming a new habitat in the area.

Since the beginning of the terminal’s operations in 2013, 49 monitoring campaigns were carried out through December 2024.

“Over 11 years of continuous monitoring, we completed 98 hours of diving. During this period, we identified 38 species of marine organisms. These findings highlight the diversity and vitality of marine life that has developed on the terminal’s structures,” added Cacio.

The study revealed that light and water depth directly influence which marine organisms attach to the seabed. Because the monitoring spanned several years, researchers were able to track the natural evolution of species and the emergence of new groups over time. The greatest diversity was observed during warmer months, such as spring and summer, indicating the influence of seasonal changes. The program also identified invasive species and other animals coexisting with the local fauna, reflecting the complexity of the marine environment studied.

These results reinforce DP World’s view that logistics development must go hand in hand with respect for biodiversity and science, actively contributing to marine conservation in the region. The work will be officially recognized with an Ibama certification, attesting to compliance with environmental licensing and the achievement of positive outcomes.

“Our program not only ensures the ecological integrity of the local marine environment, but also makes an important contribution to global best practices for impact monitoring and mitigation in large port developments,” concluded Cacio.