Port of Imbituba Welcomes Largest Vessel in Its History

Measuring an impressive 346.98 meters in Length Overall (LOA), the container ship MSC VILDA X made history at the Port of Imbituba on Sunday (12) as the largest vessel ever to call at the southern Santa Catarina port. Comparable in size to three football fields, the Liberian-flagged ship berthed at Pier 2 in the early hours of the morning, supported by two harbor pilots and three tugboats. The vessel departed later that same afternoon, bound for the Port of Itajaí.

With a beam of 42.8 meters, the MSC VILDA X has a carrying capacity of approximately 9,600 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). The ship’s arrival drew the attention of local residents and tourists, who shared stunning photos and videos of the colossal vessel on social media throughout the day.

“This port call highlights the strength of Santa Catarina’s logistics sector, which continues to push boundaries, with the Port of Imbituba playing a critical role in the development of our southern region,” remarked Governor Jorginho Mello.

The chart below compares container exports and imports at the Port of Imbituba. It is worth noting that Datamar’s data only takes long-haul operations into account, not considering cabotage, transhipments, etc.

Imbituba Container Exports & Imports | Jan 2024 – Nov 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Boosting Global Connectivity

The MSC VILDA X operates on the international container shipping route known as “Carioca,” which links South America’s east coast with Asia. This service, which began including Imbituba in November 2023, marks the return of long-haul container connections between the region and the Asian continent. Key cargoes handled during this call included wood and cellulose products, primarily destined for export.

Santa Catarina’s Secretary of Ports, Airports, and Railways, Ivan Amaral, emphasized the significance of this milestone. “The arrival of the MSC VILDA X is a historic moment for southern Santa Catarina’s logistics sector. It demonstrates that, with the right infrastructure and investments, Imbituba is ready to accommodate large vessels—an essential component of the future of international shipping,” Amaral stated.

The vessel’s shipping agent was Wilson Sons, while Santos Brasil, the operator of Imbituba’s Container Terminal, oversaw the port operations. Entry and exit maneuvers were conducted with support from Imbituba Pilots and tugboats from Wilson Sons and Saam Towage.

According to Cassia Reis, Operations Manager at the Port of Imbituba, both berthing and unberthing, as well as cargo operations, went smoothly and stayed on schedule. “This call reaffirms the Port of Imbituba’s readiness to handle large ships and underscores Santa Catarina’s prominence in logistics. The maritime sector is driving increased employment and income for the state,” she said.

Container Traffic on the Rise

The Port of Imbituba’s natural features—a deep, open-sea bay with sheltered waters—position it as a prime hub for handling large vessels.

The port is experiencing a significant uptick in container operations, closing 2024 with four regular shipping services: the well-established cabotage route (ALCT2) and three international services—Brasex (Brazil–North America), Atlas (Brazil–Argentina), and Carioca (Brazil–Asia).

In 2024, container throughput at the Port of Imbituba grew by 51.5% compared to 2023, measured in total tonnage. This performance solidified containers as the port’s fastest-growing cargo segment. Additionally, the number of TEUs handled rose by an impressive 70% year-over-year, a trend expected to continue into 2025 as the port expands its service offerings.

With robust infrastructure and strategic investments, the Port of Imbituba is cementing its position as a vital player in Brazil’s maritime logistics, ready to meet the demands of global trade.

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