Brazil’s TCP Terminal Sets Four Operational Records in March, Boosts Reefer Cargo Handling

In March, TCP, the company managing the Paranaguá Container Terminal, recorded its most productive month of 2025, surpassing four new operational records: refrigerated container handling, total container handling, rail container movement, and the number of trains received in its yard.

The highlight was refrigerated container (reefer) handling, which reached 13,890 units—an increase of 14% compared to the previous record set in June 2024 and a 38% rise compared to March last year. The total container movement for the month was 138,485 TEUs, exceeding the previous high from October 2024 by 1,115 TEUs.

In rail operations, the terminal received 118 trains and handled 9,491 containers in March, breaking two records dating back to August 2023. TCP remains the only port terminal in southern Brazil, directly connecting the customs zone and a railway branch.

“We emphasize TCP’s ongoing efforts to provide clients with the best logistics solutions through continuous innovation, appropriate infrastructure, and operational flexibility to meet Brazilian market demands. Additionally, our focus on customer service and satisfaction remains a key strategic pillar, ensuring the terminal continues setting record movement levels month after month and remains the ideal port for its partners,” said Giovanni Guidolim, TCP’s commercial, logistics, and customer service manager.

Over the past two years, TCP has invested more than R$ 370 million in projects, including the construction of a power substation, the expansion of reefer container storage capacity, the modernization of access gates and the maintenance and repair building, and the acquisition of 11 new rubber-tired gantry cranes (RTGs) and 17 terminal tractors (TTs).

“We closed the first quarter with historic movement levels, aligning with our projections and presenting a promising outlook. The March records indicate our efficiency and operational capacity in recent years, directly resulting from strategic investments in infrastructure, equipment, and workforce development. Combining cutting-edge technology with a highly skilled team strengthens our operations to overcome new challenges and meet our 2025 goals,” explained Felipe de França, TCP’s operations manager.

Meat and Frozen Goods

TCP recorded an 11% increase in refrigerated container handling in Q1 2025, reaching 33,919 containers—3,349 more than in 2024. In the meat and frozen goods sector, the primary driver of reefer container movement, TCP exported 602,000 tons of frozen chicken, 224,000 tons of frozen beef, and 45,000 tons of frozen pork in the first three months of the year.

“The record-breaking container movement on our railway branch also reflects the growth in refrigerated cargo operations. A significant volume of frozen meat exported through the terminal arrives in Paranaguá by rail—a strategically chosen mode by industries due to its reliability, sustainability, predictability, and cost-efficiency,” added Guidolim.

In June 2024, TCP completed the expansion of its reefer yard, designated for refrigerated container storage, such as those used for meat and frozen goods transportation. With a 45% increase in available plugs—from 3,624 to 5,268—the Paranaguá Container Terminal now boasts the largest reefer yard in South America.

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