Port of Itajaí: when will operations resume?

In the interim lease contract for the Port of Itajaí, the Brazilian Waterborne Transport Agency (Antaq) gave six months for the winning bidder, Mada Araújo, to meet the minimum container movement requirement. This deadline ends on Saturday (15th).

However, the acquisition of 70% of Mada Araújo by Seara Alimentos, a subsidiary of the multinational JBS, has changed the course of the port’s history, which is the topic of current conversations between Superintendent Fábio da Veiga and Antaq.

Following the announcement of shareholder control, the Municipality of Itajaí confirmed that Seara Alimentos will oversee operations at the port in the second half of 2024.

Operations to Resume in Three Months

“Both parties verbally agreed on a period of 90 days for the start of operations. During this time, the Federal Revenue Service needs to clear customs, which had not yet been transferred to Mada Araújo,” stated the port’s advisor.

The port noted that the Federal Revenue Service must still run technical studies before proceeding with customs clearance, a necessary aspect of normal operations.

“[The assessors] will come here, remodel the leased sections (Berth 1, Berth 2, and the administrative building), and accommodate the new contingent of companies involved,” commented the advisor.

“They requested a few adaptations to the plants and aspects of the environmental license. Preparations are underway. The visit will occur after the installation of the final cameras and the renovation of two road access gates,” said Marco Antonio de Araújo, CEO of Mada Araújo, who is still overseeing the procedures related to the port.

Seara’s Control of the Port of Itajaí

After months of negotiations, Seara Alimentos and Mada Araújo Asset & Port Management signed a contract on the 24th, making Seara Alimentos the majority partner for the controller of the Port of Itajaí.

The deal was finalized two days after Antaq approved the corporate change to the interim lease contract.

The transitional contract, which began in December 2023, is set to last for two years. During this period, the Federal Government is expected to issue a new notice to select the company that will manage the port for the next 35 years.

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