By allowing the arrival of larger vessels, the operation will have greater availability of stopovers and space for embarkations
TCP – the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal – had its operational draft increased from 12.10 meters to 12.30 meters. The 20-centimeter increase is part of the terminal’s expansion plan, announced earlier this year. Approved by the Brazilian Navy, the new measure will provide increased efficiency, safety, and greater availability of stopovers and space for shipments.
For this mark to be reached, TCP has invested in maritime infrastructure in recent years, which allowed for a gradual increase in its operation. In 2021, together with the Port Captaincy of Paraná, Port Authority and Pilotage, technical studies were carried out that enabled the increase in the operational draft of the Port of Paranaguá by 1,440 TEUs per vessel, compared to the capacity available in 2015.
According to Thomas Lima, Commercial and Institutional Director of the Terminal, the increase in the operational draft is another step towards transforming the terminal into a maritime hub. The expansion guarantees a more flexible and competitive operation for shipowners, importers and exporters. “With these advances, large ships will be operated more efficiently and our customers will be able to enjoy a greater range of stopovers and space for shipments, which is essential for the economic recovery expected in the coming years,” he explains.
Investments
Responsible for the largest investment in the port sector in Brazil, which is part of an investment cycle of R$ 1.1 billion, and where more than R$ 600 million have already been invested in works to expand the terminal’s handling capacity – currently at 2.5 million TEUs/year – TCP reaffirms its commitment to its customers through continuous improvements. “Dentro do nosso plano de expansão do terminal, estamos realizando investimentos em modernização, novos equipamentos e sistemas. Em conjunto com a Autoridade Portuária, trabalhamos na comprovação da viabilidade do aumento do calado operacional para os grandes navios de contêineres. Today, our concern is not just with a segment of the Port, but with the entire production and logistics chain of the state, integrating the main technical and institutional players in one goal: to make Paranaguá the best and most productive Port in Brazil,” explained Lima.
