The Port of Itajaí presents a balance sheet of two years since the resumption of federal management, showing advances in financial recovery, cargo handling, worker remuneration, and debt regularization. The period also highlights the resumption of dredging, the maintenance of the payroll, and the impacts on the logistics chain and municipal revenue.
After facing a strong retraction in operations in 2023 and 2024, the Port began operational recovery through a transitional contract. The Union assumed administration at the end of 2024, with definitive consolidation in January 2025, and local management became exercised by the Superintendência do Porto de Itajaí (SPI).
The SPI projects to close 2026 with record revenue of R$180 million. By September, realized revenue totaled R$135,158,271.00, equivalent to 75.1% of the annual projection.
In 2025, the Port recorded R$174.65 million, the highest nominal annual result in the historical series that began in 2016.
2025 revenue surpassed by approximately 24.9% the highest annual result from 2019 to 2022, which was R$139.86 million in 2021. The projection for 2026 will represent a nominal increase of 28.7% over 2021.
The federal management reports the settlement of approximately R$150 million in debts, including R$48 million related to dredging and R$102 million in other financial obligations. The regularization contributed to the continuity of services and financial reorganization. The administration also maintained regular payment of the payroll and the continuity of port activities.
In March 2026, a contract of R$63.8 million was signed for dredging services, with an initial term of 12 months and the possibility of extension according to contractual conditions. The SPI works to maintain reference depths of 14 meters in the outer channel and 13.5 meters in the inner channel, subject to navigability conditions, bathymetries, and determinations of the maritime authority.
Maintaining the access channel to the Port Complex is fundamental to ensure safety for maneuvers and predictability for operations, especially given the changes in current and flow of the Itajaí-Açu River.
The Public Port handled approximately 370.8 thousand tons in 2023 and 4.76 million in 2025. For 2026, the reported volume for closing is 5.1 million tons, totaling approximately 9.86 million tons in the two years of federal management.
In container handling, 366,089 TEUs were recorded in 2025 and 480,000 TEUs reported for the closing of 2026, totaling 846,089 TEUs. The data refers to the Port of Itajaí, and not to the entirety of the Port Complex.
According to data from OGMO Itajaí, between 2022 and 2026, the average nominal remuneration grew 56.7% for stevedores, 63.8% for checkers, 92.3% for longshoremen, 97.1% for watchmen, 102.4% for block workers, and 115.1% for repairmen. The percentages represent the evolution of average remuneration, not uniform salary adjustments.
The Port recorded 440,049 truck movements in 2025 and 510,450 reported for the closing of 2026, totaling 950,499 movements in the period.
This indicator reflects the intensity of operations and their effects on truckers, transport companies, and logistics support services, without representing the number of distinct drivers.
ISS collection associated with port activity was approximately R$4.5 million in 2025. For 2026, the reported value is R$4.7 million, totaling R$9.2 million over the two years.
Movement also generates economic effects on the municipality's commerce, transport, and services.
Between 2019 and 2022, the Port remained under municipal administration, while the federal government conducted privatization studies. After the reduction in operations, recovery began through a transitional contract. Federal administration was reassumed at the end of 2024 and consolidated in January 2025, initially linked to the Port Authority of Santos and, in 2026, to Codeba, with local management by the SPI.
Investment planning includes two distinct projects: the definitive lease of the port terminal, with a tender expected for 2027, and the concession of the access channel to the Port Complex.
"The Federal Government took over a Port that was facing a situation of operational and financial collapse, with estimated losses of more than R$1 billion for the economy, more than 600 direct jobs lost, and about 400 casual port workers without income. Today, the scenario is different: we have recovered operations, settled debts, resumed dredging, and restored the Port's capacity to generate revenue and opportunities. The Port of Itajaí is prepared for the future, with the commitment of President Lula's government and new projects to modernize infrastructure, strengthen operations, and generate development for Itajaí and Santa Catarina," said Superintendent Artur Antunes Pereira.
