Posted on December 3, 2025
Brazil’s first private container terminal aims to receive the world’s largest ships, and to that end, Portonave, in Navegantes (SC), is undertaking one of the largest expansion projects ever carried out in the national port sector.
The company, which is part of the MSC Group and recently celebrated its 18th anniversary, has begun structural upgrades to the dock to allow the operation of vessels up to 400 meters in length, a first in the country.
Construction has begun at the Santa Catarina terminal and is expected to be completed in the second half of next year, involving approximately R$ 2 billion in investments and transforming the region’s logistics capacity.
Historic expansion to accommodate giant ships.
The central objective is clear: Brazil’s first private container terminal aims to receive the world’s largest ships and, in doing so, increase its competitiveness.
As explained by the administrative superintendent director of Portonave, Osmari de Castilho Ribas, the adaptation is a direct response to the global demand for larger vessels.
“There is an immediate demand for the 366-meter ship (…). Our intention is, with this project, to provide the conditions for these ships to operate here,” he states. Ribas.
Furthermore, he envisions increasing the depth of the navigation channel from 14 to 17 meters, an essential step to allow for safer and more efficient maneuvers.
Reinforced structure and extensive interventions on the quay.
According to José Mario Batista Cunha, special projects manager at Portonave, the work on the quay involves the construction of two new beams with more robust foundations, reaching a depth of 56 meters.
“The entire quay is being developed with a 400-meter-long project in mind. This entire study was done to achieve economies of scale and lower freight costs,” explains Cunha.
The activity is taking place with only one docking berth, while the others undergo structural reinforcements.
In the future, the 900-meter pier will be able to accommodate up to three ships simultaneously, depending on the size of the vessels.
“We are working at full speed and productivity (…). We are using all our capacity, all confined to just one crib,” adds Cunha.
New equipment and unprecedented technology in Brazil
The investment package also includes R$ 439 million in new equipment, all of which is electric. Among them:
14 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTGs);
One Reach Stacker has been in operation since August;
Two container scanners were installed in September.
Thus, after the completion of the civil works, the terminal will also be able to install shore power, a technology that is unprecedented in Brazil, which supplies electricity directly to docked ships, allowing for a reduction in emissions and noise.
“All of this allows us to operate larger ships and, consequently, handle a greater volume of cargo at the terminal,” comments Ribas.
Auction of the access channel and expectations for 2026
Another crucial variable for expansion is the concession of the Itajaí access channel, an infrastructure that also serves Navegantes.
Thus, the auction will take place in the first quarter of 2026.
“We are looking, together with the shipowners, to see what the feasibility of this will be (…). It is important that we have this implementation schedule,” says Ribas.
Importance of Private Use Terminals and debate on the new Ports Law
Therefore, Private Use Terminals (TUPs) account for approximately 60% of Brazilian port traffic.
The executive director of the Association of Private Port Terminals (ATP), Gabriela CostaThis reinforces the idea that the sector depends on efficient public infrastructure to guarantee competitiveness.
“We need to provide the TUPs with all the necessary national infrastructure (…). If we don’t have efficient road, rail and waterway access, we will never have these investments being used as they should be,” he says.
Gabriela also highlights the discussion surrounding Bill 733/2025, the new Ports Law, advocating for specific adjustments to current legislation instead of a completely new framework.
