Porto Itapoá is the largest container handler in southern Brazil

The National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) has released port handling data for the first quarter of 2025. According to the agency, Porto Itapoá was the second largest container handler in Brazil during the period, with more than 202 thousand units recorded. The result places the Santa Catarina terminal behind only the Santos complex and as the leader in southern Brazil.

The increase in handling for the quarter was 37% compared to the same period in 2024, when the terminal had handled just over 146 thousand containers. The number is more than three times the national average growth, which was 10% in the comparison between periods.

“ANTAQ’s data confirms Porto Itapoá’s consistent advancement in the national scenario. This result comes from management focused on efficiency, innovation and strategic infrastructure investments,” says Ricardo Arten, CEO of Porto Itapoá.

Below is a historical overview of container throughput at the Port of Itapoá. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Container Throughput at the Port of Itapoá | Jan 2022 – Mar 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Expansion and leadership
The first quarter result reinforces the evolution observed throughout 2024, when the Terminal handled a total of 660,742 containers, consolidating itself as the leader in handling in the state of Santa Catarina and as the third largest in the country.

To sustain this growth pace, Porto Itapoá announced, still in 2024, its Phase IV expansion, which foresees investments of R$ 500 million over the next 12 months.
The project includes the expansion of 120 thousand square meters of yard, which will be available by 2026, in addition to the incorporation of a new portainer – the terminal’s eighth – and the acquisition of 12 hybrid RTGs with remote operation, adding to the 10 existing ones, the first of their kind in South America.

The arrival of nine new terminal tractors (TTs) is also planned, which will reinforce the largest electric fleet in Brazil, currently with 20 vehicles powered by 100% renewable energy, the addition of a state-of-the-art scanner, complementing the two equipment already in operation, and the expansion of the pier by another 400 meters in length. This work, which already has IBAMA licensing, will allow the simultaneous docking of three large vessels, further increasing Porto Itapoá’s operational capacity.

The Government of Santa Catarina, through the Port of São Francisco do Sul, and Porto Itapoá signed, on March 21, the unprecedented Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract for the dredging and deepening work of the access channel to Babitonga Bay. The event held at Porto Itapoá was attended by Governor Jorginho Mello, consolidating an unprecedented milestone for Brazil’s port and coastal infrastructure. On the occasion, the bidding notice was also launched to select the company responsible for executing the project.

The work, which involves an investment of around R$ 300 million, will allow the docking and operation of 366-meter-long vessels – making it the first port in Brazil with capacity for ships of this size with maximum load.
The initiative not only improves navigation safety and logistics efficiency, but also strengthens tourism and coastal protection in the region. The great differential of the project is the destination of dredging sediments for the recovery of Itapoá’s beaches, expanding the sand strip, an unprecedented feat in the country.

The work financing format, which involves the integration of public power and private initiative, will have Porto Itapoá as responsible for financing most of the costs. The return on investment made by Porto Itapoá will come from the increased handling generated by the entry of larger ships with a greater number of containers that currently do not dock at Babitonga’s ports due to the channel’s depth.

Economic development and environmental innovation
With the channel depth expansion from 14 meters to 16 meters, the ports of Babitonga Bay will be able to receive large ships, significantly increasing logistics efficiency and consolidating the region. Currently, the Babitonga Bay Port Complex can receive container ships up to 336m long, with capacity for up to 10 thousand TEUs (measurement unit equivalent to a 20-foot container). With the work, this capacity will be increased to 16 thousand TEUs.
For Ricardo Arten, the work represents a strategic advance for local and state economic development: “The channel modernization allowing the entry of ships up to 366 meters will further boost Babitonga’s ports, which are already breaking handling records, increasing our competitiveness in the global scenario. With the increase in operational capacity, the generation of new direct and indirect jobs is expected, in addition to a positive impact at national level.”

The expectation is that the works will begin in 2025 and be completed by 2026.

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