The movement of the Port of Itajaí (SC) between January and August was 127% higher than that recorded during the entire last year, driven by ongoing measures to modernize port operations in the region, according to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, which this week presented the schedule for the definitive leasing of the port.
The technical modeling of the lease, currently in an accelerated process at the Ministry, is expected to be sent in November to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) and, subsequently, to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).
According to statistical data from Antaq for the period from January to August of this year, the Port of Itajaí has already moved 2.5 million tons, which represents, in eight months, more than double the total moved during the entire last year (1.1 million tons). Activity at the Santa Catarina port intensified from the second half of the year, with an increase in container movement.
In addition to the definitive lease, one of the Ministry’s main projects for Itajaí is the concession of the access channel, scheduled to begin in 2026 and which will follow the successful model adopted in the bidding for the Port of Paranaguá. The latter was auctioned last week in a competitive dispute that will result in investments of R$ 1.2 billion.
The Ministry also initiated the process of creating the Companhia Docas de Santa Catarina, which highlights the priority that the port represents for the federal government and for the Brazilian economy.
“In May, together with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, we announced the creation of the port authority, which will bring modernization, security, logistical efficiency and capacity expansion, also acting as a vector for economic development and improvement in the quality of life of the population,” stated the Minister of Ports and Airports of Brazil, Silvio Costa Filho.
“In 2023, facing the halt in operations, Antaq promoted an agile solution for the resumption of activity at the Port of Itajaí through a temporary contract. Now it is time to take the next step: to carry out the bidding for the definitive contract, guaranteeing new investments and recovering the full potential for movement and competitiveness of the Port of Itajaí,” said Frederico Dias, general director of Antaq.
“The Itajaí container terminal once played a leading and relevant role in the past, especially in the movement of animal protein for export. The port went through a period of great difficulty, not operating for a year and a half, and with the resumption of activity it has been presenting good results. Carrying out the bidding is extremely important so that we can, fairly, return Itajaí to its prominent place among Brazilian ports,” stated the National Secretary of Ports of the Ministry, Alex Ávilla.
