Porto Itapoá in Brazil has set a new record for container handling in March 2023, processing 51,615 containers.
The figure exceeds the previous high of 49,762 containers in July 2022.
The terminal’s cargo volume grew 14.5 per cent over the previous year, handling a total of 138,255 containers in Q1 2023.
READ: Porto Itapoá throughput nears 1 million TEU mark
Cássio Schreiner, President of Porto Itapoá, attributed this growth to the increasing demand for logistical services, such as ports, warehousing, and transportation. He noted: “With the investment in access roads and waterways in Santa Catarina, we will be able to increase our expectations even further.”
The port also achieved a new record in refrigerated cargo, handling 2,715 containers in March 2023, beating the previous high of 2,550 containers in March 2014.
Schreiner highlighted that Porto Itapoá’s infrastructure has attracted important shipping routes, such as Maersk’s ASAS service, which enables the terminal to offer the shortest transit time for imports from Asia among all ports in southern Brazil.
READ: Maersk Supply Service obtains Brazilian contract
The terminal currently has 2,892 sockets for refrigerated containers, and Schreiner plans to increase the number to 5,000 in the future.
Earlier this month, threat detection and security inspection technologies company, Smiths Detection, delivered its HCVM XT cargo inspection system to Itapoá Port.
The new system, which meets the latest Brazilian image quality requirements set out by the COANA regulations, will be used to screen export cargo for threats and undeclared goods, while helping to maintain the constant flow of trade, according to Smiths Detection.