By Redação PortalPortuario
The movement of the Port of Itajaí (SC) between January and August was 127% higher than that recorded in the entire last year, with the ongoing measures for the modernization of 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 expectation is that the technical modeling of the lease, which is in an accelerated process at the Ministry, will be sent still in November to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) and subsequently to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).
According to statistical data from the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) 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). The movement at the port in Santa Catarina intensified from the second semester onwards, with increased container movement.
In addition to the definitive lease, one of the main projects of the MPor for Itajaí is the concession of the access channel, scheduled to begin in 2026 and which will follow the successful model adopted for the auction of the Port of Paranaguá. The port in Paraná went to auction last week, in a heated dispute, which will result in investments of R$ 1.2 billion.
The Ministry has also started the process of creating the Companhia Docas de Santa Catarina, highlighting the priority of the port 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 increased capacity, also acting as a vector for economic development and improvement in the population’s quality of life,” said the Minister of Ports and Airports of Brazil, Silvio Costa Filho.
“In 2023, given the situation of paralyzed operations, Antaq promoted an agile solution for the resumption of activity at the Port of Itajaí through a transitional contract. Now is the time to take the next step: hold the auction for the definitive contract, guaranteeing new investments and reclaiming 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 with the movement of animal protein for export. The port went through a very difficult period, not operating for a year and a half, and with the resumption of activity, it has been showing good results. Holding the auction is extremely important so that we can, in a fair manner, put Itajaí back in a prominent place among Brazilian ports,” said the National Secretary of Ports of the MPor, Alex Ávilla.
