Imbituba Port in Southern Brazil Gains Competitiveness Through Investments and Infrastructure Projects

With strategic investments in port, rail, and road infrastructure, southern Santa Catarina is emerging as a promising logistics alternative for cargo flow in Brazil. The region has been gaining attention due to an increase in trade routes and substantial investments in the Port of Imbituba, which has been breaking operational records and attracting new business.

By 2030, the Port of Imbituba aims to reach BRL 1 billion in investments and modernization works to expand its operational capacity. The port complex has become a full-scale construction site, with works underway to restore, reinforce, and expand Berth 3. Dredging and underwater rock removal at Berth 1 are set to begin, along with the construction of a mooring dolphin at Berth 2. Together, these improvements will extend the quay line, enabling the port to accommodate larger vessels and install equipment with increased cargo-handling capacity.

For Beto Martins, Santa Catarina’s Secretary of Ports, Airports, and Railways, this marks a turning point. “We are witnessing a paradigm shift in Southern Brazil’s logistics. The combination of public infrastructure investments and the engagement of the productive sector is placing Santa Catarina in a strategically unprecedented position. The completion of the BR-285 highway and progress on the Tereza Cristina Railway are not just engineering projects — they are pathways that connect opportunities, reduce costs, and strengthen our position in domestic and international markets. The Port of Imbituba, with its capacity to accommodate large ships, is emerging as a highly competitive alternative. Our role as a state is to ensure that this infrastructure continues to evolve — with integration, efficiency, and sustainability.”

According to Christiano Lopes, CEO of the Port of Imbituba, “The infrastructure works underway at the Port of Imbituba, authorized by Governor Jorginho Mello, will ensure the port continues increasing its cargo throughput, as has been happening in recent years. We recently hit our record, moving over 8 million tons. We are preparing the Port of Imbituba for the future — with more safety, modernization, and efficiency.”

See the chart below for the main goods exported via the Port of Imbituba during the first four months of 2025. The data is from DataLiner:

Main Goods Exported via the Port of Imbituba | Jan–April 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Regional Projects

On Santa Catarina’s southern border, only seven kilometers remain to complete the BR-285 highway between Bom Jesus and São José dos Ausentes. Once finalized, this stretch will shorten distances and directly link Rio Grande do Sul’s production zones to the Port of Imbituba. With the paving of Serra da Rocinha and its opening to bitruck traffic, this new route will make Imbituba about 100 km closer to Passo Fundo (RS) compared to the Port of Rio Grande. Beyond its logistical advantage, Imbituba also boasts significant depth, offering 13.5 meters at its berths, which enhances its importance as a primary or alternative port for various industries in southern Santa Catarina.

In parallel, the Tereza Cristina Railway (FTC) is undergoing expansion and modernization works. These upgrades aim to increase freight transport capacity in the region, linking southern Santa Catarina’s production hubs. Benony Schmitz, CEO of FTC, emphasized: “The railway is positioning itself as a key logistical integration axis, facilitating not only the transport of bituminous coal but also ceramic and agricultural products.”

With the growth in container traffic fueled by new routes operating at the Port of Imbituba, there is a trend toward expanding the markets served. Currently, goods such as salt, rice, ceramic products, and bituminous coal — originating from or destined for southern Santa Catarina — already represent a significant share of the port’s cargo matrix.

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