Functional Scenarios for the Revitalization of the Port of Pelotas, State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Abstract

This study outlines three functional scenarios for the Port of Pelotas, which is located in the center of the largest coastal lagoon system in the country, on the coastal plain of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. It is aimed at guiding decision makers as to the planning of strategic actions for economic revitalization, whereas this Port, at present, has been the target of political and economic interests at local, regional and bi-national levels. The results achieved are summarized in a survey of its current functional status, in addition to the design of three future scenarios, based on functional alternatives. Therefore, the methods of exploratory research, SWOT analysis, prospecting scenarios, and semi-structured interviews with key actors for the research were used. Results show that, despite its current relative economic and functional stagnation, the Port of Pelotas is in a position to play a new and important role in the economic development recovery of the southern region of the State, as well as the integrated development of the Mirim Lagoon Basin through the bi-national Brazil-Uruguay waterway.