TCP Showcases Infrastructure Modernization and New Services at Intermodal South America 2025

From April 22 to 24, TCP, the Paranaguá Container Terminal company, will participate in the 29th edition of Intermodal South America, the continent’s largest logistics trade fair. Following a record-breaking 2024—including surpassing the historic milestone of 1.5 million TEUs handled—TCP arrives at the event with major advancements in infrastructure and services aimed at further boosting the performance of the market served by the terminal.

Key highlights from the terminal include the completion of the expansion of the largest refrigerated container (reefer) storage area in South America and the finalization of the modernization and lane expansion at the Gate (the road access point to the operations yard). In terms of services, new features include extended gate operating hours on Sundays, allowing for more appointment slots and increased agility for scheduling cargo pickups and deliveries.

“TCP’s presence at Intermodal South America is always a great opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the market. We’re focused on offering diverse logistics solutions tailored to each customer’s specific needs. The trade fair allows us to showcase the infrastructure and services that make our terminal a global benchmark in innovation, efficiency, and flexibility in the port logistics sector,” says Giovanni Guidolim, TCP’s Commercial, Logistics, and Customer Service Manager.

According to Carolina Merkle Brown, TCP’s Manager of Shipping Lines and Market Intelligence,

“At the 29th edition of Intermodal, TCP presents the most comprehensive portfolio of maritime services among Brazilian terminals, ensuring our customers access to key global markets across all continents. With the deepening of the access channel and the increase in operational draft to 12.80 meters (the depth from the waterline to the bottom of the ship), vessels can optimize their cargo capacity at our port. This results in faster operations and increased competitiveness for shipping lines and final customers using the Port of Paranaguá.”

This year, the terminal will be at booth E100, occupying 102 m² and featuring a 20-member team from various departments—commercial, operational, institutional, customer service, logistics, and more—to welcome visitors.

Largest Reefer Area in South America

In 2024, TCP completed the expansion of its reefer yard, increasing the number of power outlets from 3,624 to 5,268. This 45% capacity increase positioned TCP as the operator of the largest reefer area in South America.

The terminal is a benchmark in the export of meat and frozen products. Last year, it shipped a record 3.5 million tons of refrigerated cargo.

Maritime Services and New Operational Draft

TCP enters the 29th Intermodal with the largest portfolio of maritime services among Brazilian terminals. Combining deep-sea and cabotage lines, the terminal now sees 25 weekly calls, connecting Paranaguá to domestic and global ports.

In 2024, TCP recorded 992 vessel calls, representing a 19% increase in ship traffic.

“This concentration of maritime services directly translates into greater security, flexibility, and business opportunities. With the recent increase in the operational draft, ships can operate with more speed and greater cargo capacity, further strengthening TCP’s position as one of the leading port hubs on South America’s Atlantic coast,” adds Carolina.

Following dredging works in the access channel, TCP increased its zero-tide operational draft from 12.10 meters to 12.80 meters. The additional 70 centimeters of draft represent a potential gain of 560 TEUs in cargo capacity per ship per voyage.

Gate Modernization and Sunday Operations

TCP’s Gate—the main road access point to the operations yard—underwent modernization and expansion, which was completed in April 2024. With new security systems, monitoring, automation, and an additional access lane, the new structure has improved vehicle flow by 200%, increasing gate appointment capacity from 50 to 150 per hour.

Since September 2024, the Gate has also operated with extended Sunday time windows, allowing customers to schedule deliveries and pickups of full and empty containers during additional weekend time slots.

“In addition to increasing the number of available appointment slots and access to the terminal, this initiative brought greater speed and flexibility for exporters and importers to manage their logistics chains with enhanced operational reliability,” Guidolim explains.

Largest Equipment Fleet Among Brazilian Terminals

After acquiring 17 new Terminal Tractors (TTs) and 11 state-of-the-art Rubber-Tyred Gantry Cranes (RTGs), TCP now operates with a fleet of 69 TTs and 40 RTGs—the largest among Brazilian port terminals.

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