Portonave operation marks end of fighter jet import journey to Brazil

Portonave, located in Navegantes, Santa Catarina, successfully oversaw the unloading operation of another F-39 Gripen fighter jet from the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). The Gripen is manufactured by Saab, a leading Swedish defense and security company known for developing, producing, and maintaining advanced systems in aeronautics, weaponry, command and control, as well as sensors and underwater systems. The fighter jet arrived via the MV Florijngracht ship from the Port of Norrkoping, Sweden, owned by the Spliethoff shipping company. Once on land, it was transported to Navegantes International Airport, just about two kilometers from the company, in the early hours of Wednesday (13).

The Gripen was unloaded at Berth 2, marking the eighth fighter jet handled by Portonave. The first arrived in 2020, followed by others in 2022 and 2023. Portonave specializes in importing and exporting breakbulk, a type of transport for oversized goods, with an operational team trained to handle special cargoes. The company has handled diverse items, including helicopters, trains, large generators, machinery, boats, and even the largest roller coaster in Latin America and the Ferris wheel in Balneário Camboriú.

Apart from special cargo, Portonave stands out for container operations and is the country’s leading container throughput terminal among private use terminals (TUPs), according to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq). Operating since October 2007 as the first private terminal in Brazil, it has handled 12.2 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) since its inception.

From January to November, it handled 1,193,812 TEUs, reflecting a 9% growth compared to the same period in 2022. It represents a 65% market share in Santa Catarina and 16% nationally (full TEUs). Plastic, textiles, and machinery were the most imported products, while wood, frozen meat, and paper were the most exported. The top importing countries were China, the United States, and India, while the primary export destinations were China, the United States, and Mexico.

Brazilian Gripen

The Brazilian Gripen program is a partnership between Brazil and Sweden to develop and supply Gripen fighter jets to the Brazilian Air Force. In addition to the aircraft, the contract includes logistical support, support systems, related equipment, training, weaponry, and an industrial cooperation agreement, making it Brazil’s most extensive ongoing technology transfer program.

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