Port race in Santa Catarina drives need for R$57 billion in infrastructure by 2029

Santa Catarina is set to gain its eighth port, which is expected to begin operations in 2030. The new terminal will be the Coamo TUP (Coamo Private-Use Terminal), backed by an investment of R$ 3 billion. Other projects, such as the widening of the Babitonga Bay access channel and the expansion of the ports of Itapoá and São Francisco do Sul, add to the broader port infrastructure expansion underway in northern Santa Catarina.

The expansion of ports and the implementation of new projects are expected to boost the region’s logistics capacity, but they also highlight the urgency of investments in transport infrastructure.

According to a survey by Fiesc (Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina), investments of R$57 billion will be required by 2029 to ensure the adequacy and expansion of the state’s transport network.

Of this total, the largest share is expected to go to road transport, with R$40.2 billion needed for highways.

Fiesc also estimates that the private sector will account for R$42.6 billion of the R$57 billion in projected road infrastructure investments.

Among the planned investments are port expansion works and PPPs, such as the dredging and deepening of the Babitonga Bay access channel.

Babitonga Bay dredging

The dredging of Babitonga Bay involves an investment of R$333 million under a public-private partnership between the ports of São Francisco do Sul and Itapoá. The project will deepen the access channel from 14 metres to 16 metres, allowing larger vessels to call and making the port complex the first in Brazil capable of receiving ships of up to 366 metres at full load.

The dredged material is being used for beach nourishment in Itapoá, covering eight kilometres of coastline and involving around six million cubic metres of sediment. Dredging works have reached 43.7% completion, while the beach widening project has surpassed half of the planned scope.

Logistics expansion in Santa Catarina and the eighth port

Located near the current Port of Itapoá, the new terminal aims to ease the outflow of agricultural production from southern Brazil. The port will handle dry and liquid bulk cargo, including soybeans, corn, fertilisers, and petroleum products such as LPG, with an expected throughput of 11 million tonnes per year.

Regarding local traffic impacts, estimates indicate that after 10 years of operation, when the project reaches full capacity, 835 heavy vehicles per day will circulate, accessing the terminal via José Alves Road.

“Our assessment showed that José Alves Road and highways SC-416 and SC-417 have the physical capacity to handle the additional traffic. The challenge we need to address jointly — with developers, the municipality, and society as a whole — is operational in nature,” said Marco Scazufca, an architect and urban planner at DTA Engenharia, who participated in the report.

At the terminal’s direct access point, a roundabout will be built and appropriate signage installed to ensure smooth traffic flow. In addition, engagement initiatives are planned with workers and truck drivers to reinforce safe driving practices and ensure smooth traffic in the area.

Expansion of the Port of São Francisco do Sul

In 2025, the Port of São Francisco do Sul marked its 70th anniversary. In this context, more than R$40 million in expansion investments were announced. The package includes the construction of a third lane on BR-280 (R$12.5 million), the refurbishment of Berth 201 (R$18 million), and the implementation of a dust suppression system along the export corridor (R$11 million).

The improvements aim to facilitate land access to the terminal, increase vessel berthing capacity, and reduce dust emissions during grain handling.

Located in Babitonga Bay, the port accounts for 80% of Santa Catarina’s soybean exports and half of Brazil’s steel imports, ranking among the country’s ten most essential ports in terms of general cargo throughput.

Priority projects

Fiesc’s survey also identified projects considered priorities for infrastructure development in Santa Catarina. According to the federation, duplicating the BR-280 and BR-470 highways ranks among the most urgent and strategic interventions.

Other highlights include maintenance of federal highways, capacity upgrades on BR-282 and BR-163, and completion of works on BR-285.

In the port sector, priority investments include the second phase of the turning basin and access channel at the Itajaí port complex, the rehabilitation and expansion of the breakwaters at the Port of Imbituba, and the deepening of the Babitonga Bay access channel through a public-private partnership.

Source: ND+

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