JBS Terminais expands capacity and connections at the Port of Itajaí after handling 800,000 TEUs
The operator announces a new investment of R$15.2 million to modernize container inspections, expand truck access, and enlarge the terminal’s operating area.
JBS Terminais has handled more than 800,000 TEUs since October 2024, when it took over operations at the Port of Itajaí, in Santa Catarina. During that period, the company allocated nearly R$250 million to the resumption, modernization, and expansion of the port structure. Between the first and second years of activity, the volume handled grew by 62%.
From January through September 2026, the terminal recorded nearly 500,000 TEUs, 73% more than in the same period of 2022, before operations were halted. Following the interventions carried out, operational capacity reached up to 600,000 TEUs per year.
The company announced a new investment of R$15.2 million. The funds will be used to modernize cargo inspections and make improvements to increase the flow of trucks at the terminal entrance. Planned equipment includes the Varex VXP6 X-ray system, which allows the inside of containers to be examined without opening the units.
Vehicle access points, known as gates, will increase from eight to ten. The project also includes two new weighing lanes. The yard’s operating area is being expanded by 25%, with the demolition of the former Warehouse 3 and the incorporation of Area C. The expansion is expected to add 80,000 TEUs to annual capacity and improve the use of bonded areas.
The refrigerated-cargo structure now has more than 1,700 power outlets. The operation has also added two mobile cranes, 14 reach stackers, and 25 trucks for transporting containers between the quay and storage areas. The terminal has 180,000 square meters, a 1,030-meter quay, and four berths with a depth of 14 meters.
Maritime connectivity expanded throughout the process. The terminal currently operates ten regular services to destinations in Asia, Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Africa. In October, it began receiving the ZFS/AS2 service, operated by ZIM and Hapag-Lloyd, with a direct connection to Asia. The SEAS2/ESAS2 service is scheduled to begin in January 2027, bringing together CMA CGM, COSCO, OOCL, PIL, Evergreen, and Yang Ming.
JBS Terminais’ customer portfolio includes more than 3,500 customers from segments such as food, paper and pulp, timber, industry, energy, and chemicals. During the same period, the workforce grew from 77 to 405 people, in addition to approximately 600 indirect jobs. According to the company, the operation generated more than R$360 million for the economy of Itajaí.