Portonave retains top pproductivity spot among Brazil’s container terminals

For the second consecutive year, Portonave, Brazil’s first private port terminal, has ranked as the country’s most productive container terminal. In the latest year, the terminal handled 1,108,029 TEUs, achieving a vessel productivity rate of 114 moves per hour (MPH), the highest among Brazilian ports, according to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ).

On the export side, the main cargoes handled were frozen meat, wood and wood products, and paper. Imports were led by machinery, textiles, and plastics. China was the leading destination for exports, followed by Japan in second place and the Philippines in third. On the import side, China also ranked first, with Vietnam and Italy following.

The chart below shows the monthly evolution of beef exports to China from January to November 2025, based on data from the DataLiner platform.

Beef Exports to China | Portonave | 2022–2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Over its 18 years of operations, Portonave has received 10,000 vessel calls and handled a total of 14,785,828 TEUs. To sustain its competitive edge, the terminal is currently carrying out an investment program totaling R$2 billion, focused on quay modernization and the acquisition of new equipment.

With a reinforced quay reaching a depth of 17 meters, the terminal will be able to accommodate vessels of up to 400 meters in length. New, higher-capacity ship-to-shore cranes are also set to be installed, with delivery expected in the second half of this year. As a result, the terminal’s annual capacity is projected to increase from 1.5 million TEUs to 2 million TEUs.

Understanding MPH

Productivity is one of the key indicators used to assess port terminal efficiency. Moves per hour (MPH) measure the number of container movements carried out during vessel loading and unloading operations, from the first to the last container handled per call. At Portonave’s quay, operations can be performed simultaneously by up to six ship-to-shore cranes.

Quay Modernization Project

The quay project does not involve expanding the existing infrastructure, but rather modernizing it. The first phase of the works began in January 2024 and was completed in October 2025. Operations have since moved into the second phase, scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026.

Beyond operational gains, the project also opens the door to further decarbonization. Once completed, the terminal will be able to install shore power systems, allowing berthed vessels to connect to onshore electricity. Currently, around 1,100 professionals are working at the quay and construction sites.

About Portonave

Located in Navegantes, on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, Portonave began operations in 2007 as Brazil’s first private port terminal. In the national ranking for 2025, the terminal placed fourth in long-haul full container throughput, with a 9% market share, according to Datamar. Portonave currently generates 1,300 direct jobs and approximately 5,500 indirect jobs.

Source: Portonave

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