Brazil’s Imbituba port ramps up capacity following heavy investment cycle

The Port of Imbituba closed 2025 with a series of operational and structural advances that expanded its logistics capacity. One of the year’s key milestones was authorization granted by the Brazilian Navy, through the Santa Catarina Port Authority, to carry out 40 trial maneuvers with container vessels of up to 366 meters in overall length (LOA). The measure allows the terminal to handle larger ships, broadening its operational scope.

According to Santa Catarina’s Secretariat for Ports, Airports and Railways, the results are linked to infrastructure modernization and improved operational organization at the port complex. Port management said investments made throughout the year contributed to efficiency gains and strengthened the terminal’s logistics competitiveness.

In 2025, the port launched the largest cycle of construction and expansion projects in its history. Berth 3 is receiving more than 115 million reais in public investment, including rehabilitation works, structural reinforcement, expansion, installation of containment columns, and the construction of mooring and berthing dolphins. Around 91 million reais are concentrated in this phase alone. Once completed, the operational length of Berth 3 will increase from 200 meters to 335 meters. Works are ongoing, and for 2026 the port plans to contract dredging and rock removal services to deepen the berth. This stage is expected to be carried out during a planned shutdown of Berth 3 operations between December 2026 and March 2027.

At the same time, Berth 2 is advancing with the installation of a new mooring dolphin, while Berth 1 is undergoing rock removal works. Together, these projects represent an estimated 15 million reais in public investment and will allow the two berths to handle up to four vessels simultaneously. At Berth 1, additional works are under way to expand the berthing area and increase depth to 15 meters, supporting overall operational gains across the complex.

Beyond these projects, the port foresees more than 300 million reais in additional public investments aimed at institutional and structural improvements, including dolphins, dredging, drainage, rehabilitation of the breakwater, and modernization of access roads and gate facilities.

Another significant development in 2025 was the signing of a new Delegation Agreement between the federal government, the state of Santa Catarina and SCPAR Porto de Imbituba. The agreement formalizes unified administration and operation of the ports of Imbituba and Laguna for a 25-year period, establishing integrated management of the two complexes. On the logistics side, the port added the weekly Puma shipping service, complementing the Brazex and ALCT-2 routes and expanding connections with Uruguay, Brazil’s Northeast and Asian markets.

Technological modernization also advanced with the inauguration of a new data center, backed by an investment of 8.5 million reais. The facility increases data storage and processing capacity and strengthens connectivity among operators active at the port complex.

From an operational standpoint, between January and November the Port of Imbituba handled 5,817,590 tonnes of cargo, including exports and imports, according to Datamar data. Over the period, exports totaled 2,776,837 tonnes, while imports reached 3.040 million tonnes.

Below is an overview of the main cargoes handled between January and November 205, based on DataLiner data, Datamar’s foreign trade intelligence platform.

Imbituba – Main Cargoes | 2025 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Coastal shipping accounted for 547,300 tonnes loaded and 136,800 tonnes discharged, while transshipment volumes rose 113.1% year on year. Solid bulk cargo represented 77.8% of total throughput, while containerized cargo accounted for 17.3%, exceeding 1.06 million tonnes. In foreign trade terms, the port handled more than $1.44 billion over the period.

Alongside logistics operations, the port continued initiatives aimed at community engagement. Between 2022 and 2025, more than 170,000 reais were allocated to local organizations through editions of the “Arraiá do Porto” event. Since the launch of the “Open Port” program, more than 8,000 visitors have toured the complex. In 2025 alone, investments in cultural, sports and social initiatives totaled around 700,000 reais.

With throughput projected to exceed 7 million tonnes for the year and major infrastructure works under way, the Port of Imbituba ends 2025 with expanded operating capacity and continued progress in logistics infrastructure.

Source: SCPAR Porto de Imbituba, adapted by DatamarNews.

Sharing is caring!