The expansion of the Brazilian port of Sa~o Sebastia~o would have “catastrophic” and “irreversible” effects on the Bay of Arac¸a´ claims a group of scientists contracted by the State Prosecutor who is trying to overturn permission for the work to go-ahead. The existing project would see the current area of the port doubled, with the construction of a 500,000m2 piled working area covering 75% of the Bay.

The project has been divided into four phases. In December 2013, the environmental agency gave the go-ahead for phases 1 and 2, which included construction of three berths and a multipurpose terminal. However, environmental groups subsequently undertook action to prevent work from going ahead, resulting in an injunction placed in July 2014 by the federal judge.

Barry Cross