JBS prepares for 58,000 containers per month within 15 days of operation

JBS Terminais is preparing to restart container operations at the Port of Itajaí this month, with plans to handle 58,000 TEUs per month within 15 days of commencing regular services. This volume is nearly 32% higher than the contractual minimum of 44,000 TEUs per month, suggesting that the port is set to resume operations at full capacity.

JBS requested permission from the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) last week to meet the projected demand to use the port’s Area B (berths 3 and 4) for container storage. Antaq has since approved the request. The lease agreement allows for the use of Area B when the occupancy of Area A (berths 1 and 2) reaches 80%.

The utilization projections for the leased areas are based on volumes and services negotiated with container shipping lines and carriers. “This expansion is crucial to support the anticipated volume of around 58,000 TEUs per month, preventing bottlenecks and ensuring the continuity of efficient port services,” JBS stated in its request to Antaq.

JBS plans to begin operations with at least five shipping lines that have already been secured through agreements with carriers and commercial partners. The first service will mark the official reopening of the port, with additional operations rolling out progressively through November. Among the anticipated carriers are Switzerland’s MSC, Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd, and the UAE-based Sealead, all of which have already included Itajaí on their service routes.

Although JBS has not officially disclosed the carriers, the company is gearing up to receive the first vessels. Over the weekend, JBS launched its corporate website, providing information about the company, services, rates, and a schedule of vessels and job openings.

At the end of August, JBS held a meeting with employees and partners to present its organizational and operational structure, as well as workflow and scheduling processes for operations. In terms of infrastructure, JBS is fully prepared to receive vessels and is now awaiting customs clearance from the Federal Revenue Service.

The original plan was to restart operations on September 13, but with customs clearance still pending, the expectation is now for the second half of the month. However, Antaq’s communications with the Federal Revenue’s customs clearance committee suggest that authorization may be delayed until October.

Dredging Issues

The Itajaí Port Authority has announced it is drafting a tender for an emergency contract to dredge the port channel.

This move follows the cancellation of the current dredging contract after the service provider refused to accept a payment plan for the R$35 million owed for dredging services.

The emergency contract will last 12 months until a permanent contract is awarded through a formal bidding process. The tender will require the winning bidder to mobilize immediately. Dredging operations have been halted for over a month following the suspension of services due to non-payment by the Port of Itajaí.

Source: Diarinho

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