Port of Itaqui ends 2020 at a record level

The Port of Itaqui closed 2020 with handling above the record level reached in 2019, with 25.3 million tons of cargo handled. Grains (soybeans, corn, and soybean meal) reached 12.1 million tons – including the Tegram and VLI operations – which represents an increase of 8.5% over the same period in 2019. The volume of fertilizer reached 2.6 million tons handled, registering an increase of 21% over 2019. Pulp was also highlighted, with 1.4 million tons exported which was 35% above what was exported in 2019. This was in addition to the container shipments which contributed heavily in 2020 with their weekly ship calls.

Expansion

Novo Tegram, the largest expansion project undertaken at the Port of Itaqui since 2019, started its activities at the end of the first semester of 2020. The investments of the Tegram Consortium in Itaqui make it possible to carry out simultaneous grain shipments at berths 100 and 103, raising the capacity of the port to handle 20 million tons of grain per year, also considering VLI’s operations in Berth 105. The Consortium invested R$ 260 million in this second phase of the project. In addition to the contribution of funds from the first phase (R$ 600 million), the total invested is R$ 860 million. The work generated about 500 jobs and in the post-work period, the terminal should absorb more than 100 new workers.

Tegram is one of the largest infrastructure projects for the export of the Brazilian grain harvest and has directly benefited producers in the MATOPIBA region (Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, Bahia) and in the Northeast of Mato Grosso. Itaqui’s proximity to the new agricultural frontier in Brazil generates a quicker flow of the harvest to strategic markets, such as Europe and Asia.

Plans for 2021

The management of Port of Itaqui has an Investment Plan in progress – between public and private resources – for a total amount of R$ 1.4 billion for port infrastructure, which includes works delivered, works in progress, and projects for 2021.

The works are being concluded for the renovation berths, paving of the internal roads and access to the port, a new electrical system including modernization of the receiving substation, and the construction of an emergency response base at the Ponta da Espera Terminal. These are being done using company resources from Empresa Maranhense de Administração Portuária (EMAP), manager of the Port of Itaqui,

One of the most important private investments, in addition to Novo Tegram, is the ongoing works to expand the fertilizer terminal, two liquid bulk terminals, and one cellulose terminal, which should be completed in 2021. Also on the agenda for 2021 is the auction of four new fuel terminals, the construction of a new berth (99), and a railway pear.

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