Public consultation advances long-term lease of Itajaí container terminal

Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) is accepting public comments until August 13 on the proposed long-term lease of the ITJ01 area at the Port of Itajaí, in the southern state of Santa Catarina.

The consultation marks another step toward establishing a permanent operating contract for one of the port’s main container-handling areas.

ITJ01 is currently operated by JBS Terminais under a temporary lease granted by the federal government, an arrangement intended to remain in place until the definitive bidding process is completed.

The public consultation opened on June 29. Comments may be submitted through an electronic form on Antaq’s website, while images and other digital files may be sent by email, provided contributors identify themselves and meet the deadline.

The technical and legal studies supporting the project are also available through the agency’s online portal. Antaq will publish all submissions after the consultation closes.

A public hearing on the proposed lease is also planned, although its date, time, venue and format have yet to be announced.

Covering 295,300 square meters, the ITJ01 area is intended for the handling and storage of containers and general cargo. It is considered strategically important to the recovery and expansion of operations at the Port of Itajaí.

JBS Terminais said it has handled more than 560,000 TEUs since taking over the temporary operation in October 2024 and has continued to expand the terminal’s capacity to keep pace with growing demand.

In an interview with A Tribuna in April, JBS Terminais CEO Aristides Russi Júnior said the company was completing an expansion that would increase container yard capacity by 20%.

The operator has already invested around R$150 million in restructuring the facility and is seeking to attract new shipping services by offering greater operational flexibility and schedule reliability, he said.

Russi Júnior also called for a decision on the terminal’s future before the end of 2026, arguing that a long-term contract is essential to provide certainty for investors and port customers.

Should the definitive tender not be completed by then, he said an interim solution would be needed to preserve operational continuity and avoid uncertainty for shipping lines and customers.

Long-term contract expected to support further investment

The future ITJ01 lease will replace the current temporary arrangement and establish a long-term contract for the operation of one of the Port of Itajaí’s principal container facilities.

Industry participants expect the selection of a permanent operator to provide greater legal certainty, encourage further investment and support continued growth in port activity across the region.

Source: A Tribuna

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