Brazil's Ministry of Ports and Airports has approved the final technical, economic, and environmental feasibility studies for the definitive lease of the Port of Itajaí in the state of Santa Catarina.

The documents were delivered to the National Agency for Waterway Transportation (Antaq) to support the drafting of the tender and contract documents. The process aims to secure final approval from the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) by April 2026, paving the way for an auction in the first half of the year. 

The project represents a total investment of BRL2.8 billion (US$538 million), with a key contractual provision mandating that BRL920 million (US$170 million) be invested during the first three years. This early phase of spending will be directed toward upgrading equipment and enhancing infrastructure to support ship manoeuvring. Under the concession framework, a new container terminal will be built with a static capacity of 37,152 TEU, alongside a planned 90% expansion of yard areas to alleviate current operational constraints.