Portonave pushes ahead with expansion, already outpacing 2025, superintendent says

Portonave is moving forward with a broad modernization plan to raise its operating capacity from 1.5 million TEUs to 2 million TEUs, against a backdrop of rising demand and a push for greater logistics efficiency. With investments totaling about 2 billion reais since 2024, the terminal is betting on productivity, competitiveness and decarbonization as its strategic pillars.

Datamar cargo movement statistics reveal that Portonave handled 104,035 TEUs in long-haul operations—encompassing both exports and imports—during the opening bimonthly period of 2026. This volume represents an 18.8% year-over-year (YoY) surge compared to the same period in 2025.

The following breakdown provides further specifics on these throughput trends:

Long-Haul Container Throughput | Portonave | Jan 2023 – Feb 2026 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

According to Superintendent Osmari de Castilho Ribas, the first results are already becoming visible. “The first quarter of this year is better than the same period last year. Even with berth limitations, we reached about a 10% market share in January,” he said.

The first phase of the quay upgrade, which began in January 2024, was completed in October 2025. The second phase is now underway and is expected to be finished in the second half of 2026. Around 1,100 professionals are currently working on the project, which is being carried out alongside the terminal’s regular operations.

With investments of roughly 1.5 billion reais in this phase, in addition to 439 million reais earmarked for new equipment, the modernization will allow operations at depths of up to 17 meters and the handling of ships up to 400 meters long. The structure is also being prepared to receive more modern, higher-capacity cranes.

The terminal already leads the country in efficiency, according to 2025 data from Brazil’s waterway transport regulator, Antaq. Last year, Ship-to-Shore cranes recorded about 114 container moves per hour.

To keep operations running during the works, execution was divided into phases. The 900-meter quay was split into two 450-meter sections. While one area undergoes intervention, the other remains in operation. In October 2025, the Ship-to-Shore cranes were transferred to the western quay, where the second phase is taking place.

Beyond operating gains, the project also opens the way for environmental advances. Once the works are completed, the terminal will be able to implement shore power, a technology not yet in use in Brazil, allowing berthed vessels to receive electricity from the terminal and reducing pollutant emissions.

The investments are also expected to boost the regional economy by increasing cargo flows, attracting new business and generating jobs.

Modernization, not expansion

The quay upgrade does not involve a physical extension, but rather structural reinforcement. The project includes replacing and modernizing elements such as beams, piles and slabs, as well as external components such as fenders and mooring bollards, all essential to ensure safety and support operations with larger vessels.

New equipment

The investment package includes two Ship-to-Shore cranes, 14 Rubber Tyred Gantry cranes, one reach stacker and two scanners for container inspection. All the equipment is fully electric. Once the works are completed, new higher-capacity Ship-to-Shore cranes are expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026.

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