Company history connects with that of employees who have advanced in their careers alongside the Terminal
Paranaguá (PR), April 2026 — TCP, the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal, will celebrate its 28th anniversary on April 13th, consolidated as the largest port terminal in the Southern Region of Brazil, according to the ranking of the National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ). The date marks not only the company’s expansion trajectory, but also symbolizes profound transformations in national port operations, reflected in the history of those who grew up alongside the Terminal.
This is the case of Franciele Calado Galdino, commercial analyst for shipping companies at TCP, who was born in Paranaguá in the same year the company was founded. Today, at 28 years old, her professional trajectory closely follows the evolution of the Terminal, which, over the years, has transformed into a highly technological environment integrated into global trade.
“When I joined TCP, many processes were still done on paper and the structure was simpler. Over the years, I have witnessed a significant change, with investments in technology, modernization of equipment and improvements in operational flow,” she says.
Franciele joined the company in 2017 as an apprentice in the billing area. Over the years, she has worked in different operational areas until reaching the Commercial sector, working directly with shipowners and with demands that impact the productivity and efficiency of ship schedules at the Terminal. “Being part of this trajectory is a source of pride. It is to witness from the inside the growth of one of the main terminals in South America,” she says.
Accelerated growth and structural investments
In recent years, TCP has consistently expanded its operational capacity. In 2025, the Terminal handled 1.663 million TEUs, a volume 51% higher than that recorded in 2021, when it surpassed the 1 million TEU mark for the first time.
This evolution is directly linked to a robust investment cycle. Over the past five years, more than R$ 500 million has been invested in expanding and modernizing infrastructure, including expanding the refrigerated container (reefer) storage yard—now the largest in South America, with 5,280 outlets—acquiring new equipment, and modernizing road access, which has increased vehicle flow capacity at the gate by 200%.
The company has also made progress in electrifying operations and adopting more sustainable solutions, such as converting yard cranes (RTGs) from diesel engines to electric generator sets and acquiring electric vehicles. Another important infrastructure advancement is the expansion of rail capacity, including the construction of a third rail line within the operations yard, which should increase the modal capacity by approximately 20%.
According to Rafael Stein, institutional and legal superintendent of TCP, new investments of approximately R$ 300 million are planned for the next two years, destined for the acquisition of new equipment, such as STS cranes, Terminal Tractors, and Reach Stackers. In addition, the package includes the electrification of 37 RTG cranes and the expansion of the reefer area, which will have approximately 6,000 outlets.
“Reaching 28 years as a leader in the Southern Region is the result of a consistent investment strategy in infrastructure, technology, and operational efficiency. Over the past few years, we have expanded our capacity, strengthened our logistics connection, and evolved Terminal processes to meet an increasingly dynamic and demanding foreign trade. This growth also involves people, who are a fundamental part of this trajectory,” says Stein.
Strategic infrastructure and increased competitiveness
TCP today brings together a set of logistical differentiators that reinforce its strategic position in Brazilian foreign trade. The Terminal is the only one in the South of the country with a direct connection between the customs area and a railway branch line, responsible for the movement of approximately 100,000 containers per year and essential for the flow of cargo such as meat, and paper and pulp.
Another recent advance was the expansion of the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá, which increased from 12.10 meters to 13.30 meters in depth. The change allows the operation of ships with greater capacity, with a gain of more than 900 TEUs of additional full containers per call, increasing logistical efficiency for exporters and importers.
In addition, TCP has consolidated itself as the largest concentrator of maritime services in Brazil, with 20 lines and 23 regular weekly calls, including long-haul and cabotage routes. In 2025, the Terminal surpassed the mark of one thousand ships served in a single year for the first time, totaling 1,019 dockings.
Regional Impact and Job Creation
Operational growth is also reflected in job creation. In the last five years, the number of TCP employees has increased from 1,239 to 1,665 professionals, a 34% increase. Today, the company is the largest private employer on the coast of Paraná.
“This growth is accompanied by a structured people development strategy, focusing on training, skills development, and internal career opportunities. TCP seeks to prepare its professionals to keep pace with the Terminal’s evolution, creating an environment that values continuous learning and employee empowerment,” says Felipe de França, TCP’s human resources manager.
For Franciele, this development goes beyond the numbers. “TCP has a very strong culture of valuing people. I was able to graduate and grow professionally with the company’s support. This makes all the difference in the career path of those who are here,” she says.
Franciele, Commercial Analyst at TCP, represents a trajectory of professional growth supported by a culture of internal opportunities and appreciation for people. (Credits: TCP/Press Release)
The daughter of a port worker, she says her relationship with the sector began in childhood. “My father was already working at the Port before I was even born. I grew up hearing stories, and that sparked my passion for the area. In a way, my story and TCP’s have always been connected.”
With 28 years of operation, TCP combines capacity expansion, efficiency gains, and investment in people to sustain its growth, reflecting Paranaguá’s transformation into one of the country’s main logistics hubs.
