Porto Itapoá reaches historic milestone with 10 million TEUs handled

Porto Itapoá has reached a significant milestone in its history: it has handled 10 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) since the start of its operations in 2011.

“This is a moment of great pride for our entire team and partners. Reaching 10 million TEUs in just over a decade proves the efficiency of our operations and the strategic importance of Porto Itapoá for Brazilian foreign trade,” celebrates Ricardo Arten, CEO of the terminal.

The successful story of Porto Itapoá began 14 years ago, and its figures reflect a continuous growth trajectory. In 2014, just three years after its inauguration, the terminal had reached 1 million accumulated TEUs. Two years later, in 2016, it doubled that volume, reaching 2 million TEUs, and in 2017 it surpassed the 3 million TEU mark.

“Each milestone was achieved through hard work and continuous investment in infrastructure and technology,” highlights Arten.

See below a historical overview of container throughput at the Port of Itapoá. The chart was created using DataLiner data:

Container Throughput at the Port of Itapoá | Jan 2022 – Mar 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The year 2023 brought another record: for the first time, the port handled 1 million TEUs in a single year, demonstrating its growing relevance in Brazil’s logistics sector.

“We are prepared for future challenges and will continue to invest in maintaining our standard of excellence,” says the executive.

An analysis of the last ten years reveals significant changes in the operational profile of Porto Itapoá. In 2015, exports accounted for 64% of the terminal’s cargo movement, while imports represented 36%. Today, the scenario is more balanced, with exports accounting for 41% and imports for 59%.

“This change reflects transformations in the global market and our ability to adapt to new demands,” Arten observes.

The composition of cargo has also evolved. In 2015, the most imported goods were from the “Automobiles and auto parts” and “Electronics” sectors. Ten years later, the leading import categories are “Plastics and related products” and “Machinery and Steel.”

“We have seen important diversification in the import profile, with higher value-added products gaining prominence,” the CEO comments.

The list of top countries of origin for imports has remained similar. The top three countries in 2015 remain the same today: China, the United States, and Germany.

“We offer shipping lines connecting to all major global markets,” Arten notes.

On the export side, in 2015, the top cargo categories were “Frozen and refrigerated meats” and “General machinery and components.” In 2025, the leading categories are “Forestry products” and “Food and beverages.”

The top destinations for exports handled through Porto Itapoá in 2015 were the USA, Venezuela, and China. In 2025, the top three countries are the USA, China, and Italy.

“The strong presence of the USA and China as our main buyer markets reinforces the integration of the Brazilian economy with the world’s leading powers,” concludes Ricardo Arten.

Largest Container Port in Southern Brazil

The National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) has released port activity data for the first quarter of 2025.

According to the agency, Porto Itapoá was the second-largest container port in Brazil during this period, handling over 202,000 containers. This result places the Santa Catarina-based terminal just behind the Santos port complex and as the leader in Southern Brazil.

Container volume grew by 37% compared to the same period in 2024 when the terminal handled just over 146,000 containers. The growth is more than three times the national average, which was 10% for the same comparison.

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