Itapoá Port announces Phase Four of its Expansion at some R$ 500 million

Itapoá Port is entering Phase Four of its expansion, a project expected to cost R$ 500 million over the next 12 months. This marks another stage in the terminal’s continuous growth, which has already positioned it among Brazil’s top four ports. By 2033, it is expected to become the largest and most efficient terminal in South America.

Located in Babitonga Bay, Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil, Itapoá Port boasts a yard area of 455,000 square meters, with a storage capacity of 31,000 TEUs and the ability to handle up to 1.8 million TEUs annually. Felipe Fioravanti Kaufmann, the Director of Business Development and Customer Experience at Itapoá Port, highlighted that this expansion phase is critical to meeting domestic and international demand. “This expansion will add 120,000 m² to the yard, and we are also planning to invest in high-tech equipment to further enhance the terminal’s efficiency and sustainability,” Kaufmann explained.

Below is an interactive chart on container exports and imports registered at Itapoá Port between January 2021 and August 2024, according to Datamar’s DataLiner data.

Itapoá Port Container Exports & Imports | Jan 2021 – Aug 2022 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The most significant investment in this phase is the acquisition of an additional container crane, which is essential for handling large vessels. This will bring the total number of cranes at Itapoá Port to eight. “In August, we deployed our seventh container crane, which has already increased our productivity by 15%,” Kaufmann added.

The expansion also includes plans to extend the wharf by 400 meters, adding to the existing 800 meters. This extension will enable three large ships to dock simultaneously. Kaufmann noted that the expansion has been approved by IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) and will follow a strategic timeline.

Itapoá Port is also set to modernize its equipment by purchasing twelve remote-controlled RTGs (Rubber-Tired Gantry Cranes), adding to the ten already in operation. This makes Porto Itapoá the first terminal in South America to utilize this cutting-edge technology. “These hybrid cranes not only reduce fuel consumption but also help lower carbon emissions,” Kaufmann emphasized. The terminal also operates an additional 17 conventional RTGs.

In line with its modernization efforts, the port will acquire nine more terminal tractors (TTs), specialized trucks used for moving containers within the yard and along the wharf. The terminal currently operates 49 TTs, 20 of which are electric, forming the largest electric TT fleet in Brazil. “These TTs run entirely on renewable energy, aligning with Porto Itapoá’s sustainability goals,” Kaufmann pointed out.

Another aspect of the expansion is the installation of 1,080 additional reefer outlets, bringing the terminal’s total to 4,038 points, solidifying Porto Itapoá’s position as the terminal with the most reefer points in Santa Catarina and the second largest in Brazil.

A new state-of-the-art scanner will also be added to the terminal’s infrastructure. With two scanners already in operation, these devices are crucial for ensuring safe cargo handling.

Completion of Phase Three

On April 25, Porto Itapoá officially inaugurated Phase Three of its expansion. The event was attended by Jorginho Mello, Governor of Santa Catarina, former State Secretary of Ports, Airports, and Railways Beto Martins, as well as various government officials, regulatory agencies, customers, employees, and press representatives. Phase Three added 200,000 m² to the terminal’s yard, including 8,000 m² of warehousing, for a total investment of R$815 million.

This expansion brings Itapoá’s total yard space to 455,000 m², making it one of the largest container yards in Brazil. The investment also included the acquisition of heavy-duty equipment.

Dredging the Babitonga Bay Access Channel

In September, IBAMA granted an Installation Permit for the dredging of the access channel to Babitonga Bay. This project will deepen the outer channel from 14 to 16 meters, allowing vessels up to 366 meters in length to navigate the bay. The dredging will transform the terminal into a hub for larger vessels, where cargo can be consolidated.

With the permit in place, the Port of São Francisco do Sul can now begin the tender process to select a contractor for the dredging work, which is estimated to cost R$ 300 million.

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