Portonave handles 319,000 TEU in Q1, gears up for larger ships

Brazil’s first and largest private container terminal, Portonave, located in the city of Navegantes, in the state of Santa Catarina, handled 319,300 TEU in the first quarter of this year.

In March alone, the terminal handled 111,500 TEU. At the end of the quarter, the port terminal achieved a vessel productivity rate of 128.9 moves per hour (MPH), marking a 58% year-on-year increase.

According to the latest data from the National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ) of Brazil, as of January this year, Portonave boasts the highest vessel productivity among container-handling port terminals in the country.

Despite ongoing quay infrastructure works that have resulted in container handling operations being focused on one section of the mooring berth, the company reported achieving high volumes, with over 140 vessel calls in the first quarter.

In March, the company carried out operations on the M/V Kota Pelangi, breaking two cargo-handling records in the terminal’s history: the largest total of 10,500 TEU exchanged, and the largest import discharge of 5,200 TEU, with average vessel productivity of 131.9 MPH. For other vessel operations, up to 190 MPH in vessel productivity was recorded.

In terms of market share in the state of Santa Catarina, 53% of all full-container handlings were via the terminal, according to February data released by maritime consulting firm Datamar.

The main products exported were wood and its derivatives (41%), frozen meat and its derivatives (36%), and paper (6%). For imports, Portonave received plastics and derivatives (19%), textiles (11%), and machinery (10%). Leading sources of imports were China, the United States, and Colombia, while the largest export destinations were China, the United States, and Mexico.

In a bid to stay competitive, Portonave launched a R$1 billion (US$ 191 million) initiative for the quay infrastructure works in January 2024, marking its largest investment since its inception.

Currently, the terminal accommodates vessels up to 350 meters in length (L.O.A.), but with a planned quay extension it aims to increase this to vessels of over 400 meters in L.O.A. The extensive project, overseen by a consortium consisting of Besix and Empresa Construtora Brasil (ECB), operating as Besix-ECB, will be implemented in two phases.

While construction progresses on one side of the 450-meter quay, operations on the other side continue uninterrupted. Commencing on the east side, construction will subsequently shift to the west, with completion anticipated by January 2026. Upon completion, the revamped quay will feature more robust fenders and Ship-to-Shore (STS) rails, significantly enhancing Portonave’s ability to handle larger vessels. Additionally, plans include construction of cold ironing infrastructure for vessels at berth, aimed at substantially reducing emissions.

Based on the latest update from Portonave, the construction works on the quay are on schedule.

As of April, demolition and rock filling work is underway, while cargo handling operations are maintained on the west side. After the demolition stage, the foundation works for the new quay will begin, including the installation of a reinforced concrete diaphragm quay wall extending approximately 55 meters deep. Currently, load tests are being carried out on the piles and a prototype of the diaphragm wall panel. To validate the projections outlined in the construction project’s design and schedule the panel replicates the exact concrete structure intended for use in the project.