Porto Itapoá has been honored with the Ports + Brazil Award, granted by the Ministry of Ports and Airports of the Federal Government. The terminal secured 2nd place in the category of container movement growth, being the private terminal with the highest growth in this category in the country, achieving a 20% increase compared to the previous year. Last year, Porto Itapoá surpassed 1 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) for the first time in its history, marking a 14% increase over 2022.

With the presence of the Governor of the State of Santa Catarina, Jorginho Mello, the State Secretary of Ports, Airports, and Railways, Beto Martins, the Mayor of Itapoá, Jeferson Garcia, authorities from various spheres, intervening bodies, entities, clients, employees, and the press, Porto Itapoá inaugurated on Thursday, April 25th, the phase III expansion of the terminal, with an additional 200,000 m² of yard, including an 8,000 m² warehouse, concluding an investment of R$ 815 million. 

Porto Itapoá has acquired a fleet of 20 new electric trucks for its internal operations. Known as Terminal Tractors (TTs), these vehicles are used for internal container movement at the terminal. The acquisition amounts to R$ 20 million and is part of the port’s expansion process, now boasting the largest fleet of electric TTs among Brazilian port terminals.

Porto Itapoá has just reached the milestone of 1,500 employees, a reflection of the accelerated growth that the Terminal has shown since the beginning of operations. In 2023, it was the Private Use Container Terminal that grew the most in the country, surpassing the milestone of 1 million TEUs (unit equivalent to a 20-foot container).

Porto Itapoá is beginning Phase Four of its expansion, which is likely to cost a total of R$ 500 million over the next 12 months. This project is the next stage in the continual growth of this Terminal, which has already established it within the Top Four in Brazil and which should make it the largest and most efficient in South America, by 2033.

Acquired last year and starting operations in 2024, the new portainer (a rail-mounted crane that moves containers between ships and the dock) at Porto Itapoá has already delivered a 15% increase in productivity. However, the crane doesn’t operate alone: each portainer requires a range of supporting equipment and personnel, collectively referred to in the port industry as a “terno.”

Porto Itapoá celebrated another record in its movement. The port terminal reached the mark of 1 million TEUs moved in just 10 months. This new record is notable not only for the quantity, but also for the time in which it was achieved. The previous mark had been achieved after 12 months of operation, which means that the port surpassed its own performance in 67 days, a result that reflects the efficiency of operations.

The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) has issued the Installation License for the widening and deepening of the access canal to Babitonga Bay in northern Santa Catarina. With the issuance of the license this week, the Port of São Francisco do Sul can now begin the bidding process to hire the company responsible for the project, estimated at R$ 300 million.

Porto Itapoá has announced a transition in its Executive Leadership: Ricardo Arten take over as the new CEO, succeeding Cássio José Schreiner, who has led the terminal since 2017. Under Schreiner’s leadership, Porto Itapoá established itself as one of the largest ports in the country, handling over 1.2 million TEUs and standing out in innovation, sustainability, and efficient management.

Porto Itapoá was confirmed as the best port in Brazil in terms of customer experience, for the 8th consecutive year.  This award is given by the Ibero-Brazilian Customer Relationship Institute (IBRC) each year. They evaluate the performance of companies in terms of their relationships with their customers, in different sectors.

Porto Itapoá has installed 1,080 additional outlets for refrigerated containers. Adding to the existing 2,892 outlets, the terminal now has a total of 3,972 outlets, the largest number in Santa Catarina and the second largest in Brazil.