JBS Terminais Invests BRL 130 Million in Relaunch of Itajaí Port

Since taking over operations at the Port of Itajaí (SC) in October 2024, JBS Terminais has already invested BRL 130 million in the terminal, which currently serves over 1,700 clients. These investments have positioned the company as one of the leading logistics hubs in southern Brazil, with a further BRL 90 million in planned investments for technology and infrastructure. Since the start of the concession, the terminal has handled an average of 20,000 TEUs per month, totaling 143,230 TEUs to date.

“This operation brings us great satisfaction and a deep sense of responsibility. We understand how important this port is to the country,” said Wesley Batista during the reopening ceremony held on Thursday (May 29). He noted that 50% of Brazil’s exported chicken and pork is shipped through ports in the region.

Also attending the event, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted the importance of both public and private investments for generating jobs and income. “This is a year of harvest. We are here harvesting the development of Itajaí and Navegantes. Harvesting the growth of Santa Catarina,” he said.

Located on a 180,000-square-meter site, the JBS terminal features 1,030 meters of quay, four berths, and a 14-meter draft, enabling it to receive large vessels. It has 1,750 plugs for refrigerated containers (reefers) and eight reversible gates. These upgrades are bringing the operation closer to its full handling capacity of up to 558,000 TEUs per year.

“In a short time, we’ve restored Itajaí’s position as an efficient and competitive terminal. We’re currently ramping up volumes, with a strong focus on delivering excellent service to our clients,” said Aristides Russi Junior, President of JBS Terminais.

Below is a historical overview of container throughput at the Port of Itajaí. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Container Throughput at the Port of Itajaí | Sep 2024 – Mar 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Today, the terminal handles seven shipping lines with eight weekly vessel calls. Starting in June 2025, the terminal will add new international routes, such as GS1, connecting South America to the Gulf of Mexico. This route will enhance the exports of products such as wood, frozen meat, ceramics, and machinery, as well as imports of plastics, rubber, and chemicals. The Mercosul Line by CMA CGM, also arriving in June, will further improve the terminal’s connectivity.

JBS Terminais serves more than 1,700 clients and generates approximately BRL 7 million in municipal tax revenue (ISS). The company has 334 direct employees and 350 casual port workers (TPAs). Between October 2024 and April 2025, cargo distribution was 33% in dry and reefer imports, 24% in dry exports, 17% in reefer exports, and 26% in cabotage, transshipment, and other categories.

The upcoming BRL 90 million investment will be used to modernize operations through the acquisition of two Konecranes Gottwald ESP.9 mobile harbor cranes. These cranes can handle 125 tons and reach 20 container rows. The company is also testing electric Terminal Tractors (TTs) as part of its fleet electrification strategy for increased efficiency, safety, and emission reduction.

JBS Terminais has also initiated a port densification process, taking over unified management of the public port of Itajaí. This move is expected to improve operational efficiency, reduce bottlenecks, minimize urban impact, and streamline cargo movement in the region.

“Our global experience, built over decades of exporting JBS products to more than 180 countries, along with large-scale logistics operations at companies like BrasKarne, gives us a competitive edge we apply daily in Itajaí. Adding to this is the logistics operation of Eldorado Celulose, part of the J&F Group, which controls JBS. This know-how allows us to offer a terminal that is not just efficient but also strategic for Brazil’s foreign trade,” said the executive.

JBS Terminais’ presence in Itajaí reflects JBS’s strong and established footprint in Santa Catarina, a key state for the company. JBS contributes 2.47% of the state’s GDP, with a production impact of BRL 24.3 billion. Present in 22 cities, JBS employs over 25,000 people directly and supports 2,700 integrated producer families. Beyond the port terminal, the company also operates 25 factories, one biotechnology innovation center, four farms, a JBS Transportadora unit, three distribution centers, and five hatcheries.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS – JBS TERMINAIS (MAY 2025)

• Start of operations: September 2024
• Total area: 180,000 m²
• Annual capacity: Up to 558,000 TEUs
• Handled by April 2025: 143,230 TEUs
• Reefer plugs: 1,750
• Reversible gates: 8
• Clients served: 1,700
• Shipping lines: 7
• Weekly calls: 8
• Direct employees: 334
• Casual port workers: 350
• ISS generated: BRL 7 million
• Initial investment: BRL 130 million
• New investments announced: BRL 25 million + USD 12 million in cranes

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