Numbers confirm the positive outlook for 2018, when the Terminal handling capacity will be 1.2 million TEUs
The year of 2017 was positive for Porto Itapoá, with a 10% increase in its total movement, compared to 2016, including exports, imports, cabotage, transhipments and handling of empty containers. During the 12 months of last year, 612 thousand TEUs (unit of measure equivalent to a 20-foot container) were moved, compared to 558 thousand TEUs in 2016.
The forecast for 2018 is for Porto to move 750,000 TEUs, an increase of 22% over last year. The highlight of 2017 was the increase in long-haul movements – exports and imports – with an increase of 16.21% in total, which means 47 thousand TEUs more than in 2016, Reaching 337 thousand TEUs.
Separately, imports jumped from 116 thousand TEUs to 145 thousand TEUs, an increase of 25%. Exports, in turn, recorded an increase of 10.34%, from 174 thousand TEUs in 2016 to 192 thousand TEUs in 2017. Positive signs were already on the horizon in November 2017 for Itapoá operations, with a noted leap in the container handling market in the State of Santa Catarina, from 30.8% (October 2017) to 35.3% (November 2017).
This participation percentage gradually increased month by month, and consolidated in an expressive way at the end of the year, when it was confirmed that one in every three containers moved in Santa Catarina passes through Porto Itapoá. When this percentage also includes the State of Paraná, the percentage that was 20.7% (October / 2017) becomes 23.3% (November / 2017), almost a quarter of the total movement in the two States.
Commercial Director of Itapoá, Roberto Pandolfo, says that the increase in the volume that Porto has been presenting is a result of the differentiated services provided to the client, focusing on operational excellence together with a close and personal relationship with the client. “Clients note when the Port they have chosen adds value to their products. There are a series of commitments involved, from understanding a clients industrial process to the configuration of the terminal, which is prepared to cater to their individual demands with greater experience and security.”
Market confidence was expressed through the latest Client Satisfation survey, held by the IBRC (Brazilian Client Relations Institute), which presented a satisfaction index of 92% and a brand/service recommendation indicator of 76 NPS, comparable to a number of major internation brands.
“This result is a reflection of the work by the employees of Porto Itapoá over the past six years of operations, in direct contact with our clients, whom we sincerely thank for their constant support”, stated Pandolfo.
Expansion of the Terminal
Porto Itapoá initiated operations in June 2011, with an infrastructure able to handle 500 thousand TEUs per year. Since 2013, this capacity has been surpassed and, in order to meet the increasing demand of the market, the terminal began its expansion process in the same year. In October 2016, after obtaining all the licenses needed, the first works began.
Last December, an important phase of the first stage of this expansion was completed, with the completion of the engineering work of an area of 60 thousand square meters, which will be added to its maneuvering yard.
By May, another 40 thousand square meters will be added to the terminal yard, which will then have 210 thousand square meters. Also by May, the completion of the work for the extension of the dock is expected, increasing it from the current 630 meters to 800 meters.
With these works, which are being done by the construction company Piacentini Tecenge do Brasil (Piatec), the first stage of the expansion project will be completed, allowing the terminal to increase its current cargo handling capacity to 1.2 milion TEUs per year – which will happen in 2018.
The President speaks about the new scenario
President of Porto Itapoá, Cássio Schreiner, points out that during these six years of operation, the Terminal had very positive numbers, even when the economic and political scenario was unfavorable, the project provided differentials to customers, creating a relationship of trust and thus consolidating Porto Itapoá to be amongst the largest container terminals in the country.
“Porto Itapoá has striven constantly for the sustainable growth of its operations, focusing on clients while also providing security for investors. This equation provided the business with guarantees. we started an expansion project, even though the country was in a moment of crisis, since we had reached a record turnover number of more than 600 thousand TEUs in 2017”, he says.
Cássio Schreiner believes that the resumption of industrial activity and economic growth will create an even greater demands for port services: “We know it will be tough, but the firmly believe that our strategy and efforts to date ensure that the terminal is prepared to achieve this goal and many others”.