Port of Itajaí to get temporary management contract as government steps in

Minister of Ports and Airports, Márcio França, announced that the Federal Government will seek a company to manage the Port of Itajaí in a temporary manner.

Officials in Brasilia commented, on Wednesday (July 19), that the decision aims to ensure a continuous flow of cargo through the port until a permanent contract is signed and a new company takes over operations.

Accompanied by Décio Lima, president of Sebrae and mediator in the negotiations between the Federal Government and the Port of Itajaí, the minister explained that implementing a temporary solution was a request of President Lula.

The minister emphasized that the bidding process is expected to extend for over a year. In the meantime, the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) will make a provisional call to restore cargo flow at the terminal.

This approach aims to provide certainty to companies intending to participate in the bidding process, ensuring a secure and transparent selection procedure.

Port of Santos partnership

Regarding the recent announcement of a potential partnership with the Port of Santos, in which a portion of the terminal’s cargo would be temporarily redirected to Itajaí, the minister made it clear that the new decision by the Federal Government does not disrupt the proposed partnership. He emphasized the importance of finding a definitive solution because the Santos arrangement is also temporary. Itajaí, as the main port of Santa Catarina, needs to fully resume its operations.

To achieve operational stability, the Federal Government has taken the responsibility of initiating the public call, which is expected to have a two-year duration. During this time, the Government will proceed with the bidding process for the concession of the Port of Itajaí for 35 years.

The notice for the public call is expected to be sent to Antaq promptly, and upon the agency’s approval, it will be published. The process will be streamlined to expedite the selection procedure.

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