JBS Denounces Attempt by Port of Santos to Enable Fertilizer Handling in Itajaí

On Tuesday, the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) published a resolution blocking any authorization or negotiation by the Port Authority of Santos (APS) to enable bulk cargo operations at the Port of Itajaí. The decision responds to a complaint filed by JBS Terminals, which leases the container terminal at the port, against the Itajaí port authority.

The order was signed by Antaq’s acting director-general, Caio Farias. It is a precautionary administrative measure with immediate effect, temporarily suspending any arrangements for bulk cargo handling in Itajaí while the case is still under review.

According to the case file, JBS Terminals filed its complaint on April 26, requesting a precautionary measure to stop the authorization for bulk cargo movement at the Port of Itajaí. In its petition, the company claimed that APS was negotiating the potential handling of bulk fertilizers at the port’s public facilities, allegedly involving the port operator ZPort Itajaí.

JBS Terminais argued that the plan was being developed in areas covered by its temporary lease agreement without formal communication or consultation with directly affected operators. It also noted that technical and legal requirements for implementing a new cargo handling model were unmet.

To support its claim, JBS cited the scheduled arrival of the vessel Athanasia, which is expected to dock Tuesday night for a potential fertilizer operation. On Monday, APS denied that the vessel was carrying fertilizers, stating that it would instead handle steel coils—cargo permitted under general cargo operations at the public quay.

The complaint emphasized that JBS Terminals holds a temporary lease contract that includes public port areas, infrastructure, and facilities at the Port of Itajaí, including the general cargo yard, when needed. Antaq highlighted that the agreement, signed in December 2023 for an initial term of two years, aims to ensure continued cargo handling and storage until a definitive concession is awarded.

Itajaí Supports JBS Terminais Against Santos

In response to Antaq on Monday, João Paulo Tavares Bastos Gama, superintendent of the Port of Itajaí, sided with JBS Terminais, arguing that the proposed cargo type would undermine the port’s vocation for handling containers and “clean cargo.”

He echoed the company’s claims, stating that the Port of Itajaí has established itself as a hub for clean, high-value-added cargo—primarily containers, refrigerated containers, vehicles, and special cargo—and has maintained a historical balance with the city’s urban environment.

“In this context, we agree with the complainant that carrying out fertilizer operations at the Port of Itajaí—a type of bulk cargo classified as dirty and known to be polluting—would directly violate the port’s historical role and pose serious environmental, urban, economic, and social risks,” he wrote.

João Paulo also noted that under a decentralization contract signed in 2024, the port authority for Itajaí was transferred to the Port of Santos. As a result, the former municipal authority now operates under an operational agreement involving APS, the Itajaí Port Superintendency, and the city government, taking on executive responsibilities, including port operations, during the transition.

Power Struggle: Port of Santos Overruled Itajaí Superintendency

The Port of Itajaí superintendent confirmed that “various preparatory procedures” had been initiated for receiving fertilizer cargo on orders from APS. On April 10, a technical team from SPI, responding to a request from ZPort, sent a letter to the superintendent outlining requirements for a fertilizer operation, describing it as a “test operation” that would meet environmental and operational conditions.

On April 16, ZPort emailed the superintendent requesting authorization to bring in equipment for the fertilizer operation. On April 22, the superintendent ordered the operation suspended.

However, the following day, APS Operations Director Ricardo de Sousa unilaterally revoked the suspension and authorized the installation of fertilizer-handling equipment. The setup was completed, and the equipment was ready to receive cargo. Three days later, JBS filed a complaint with Antaq.

Source: Diarinho

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