Logistic infrastructure and a variety of services make the terminal a reference among ports in the region – meat exports were the highlight.
TCP, the company that manages the Paranaguá’s Container Terminal, closed 2022 with its greatest movement in history, with 1.16 million TEUs (measurement unit equal to a 20-foot container). The result comes in a year marked by record operational productivity and is the result of investments to better serve importers, exporters, and shipowners. The figure is 5% higher than 2021, when the company handled 1.1 million TEUs.
Consecutive investments in productivity were key for the Paranaguá Container Terminal to grow 5% after troubled times in foreign trade. James Cao, TCP’s CEO, explains how such improvements have positively impacted operations: “Our expanded structure enabled TCP’s operational team to reach record productivity levels, resulting in more vessels being operated at a faster pace, with a significant reduction in the number of omissions. For 2023, we will enhance our equipment yard and cargo handling capabilities”.
Regarding exports, the highlight was frozen cargo, the company’s leading segment, with the largest number of plugs for reefer containers among Brazilian terminals. A total of 208,479 TEUs were handled, a number 8% higher than 2021. “One of the investments that will be consolidated in 2023 is the expansion of the number of plugs for Reefer containers, from the current 3,572 to 5,126. This will make us the undisputed leader in infrastructure for the meat market in South America”, comments the executive. The company is also investing in a power substation to support the expansions.
The growth is also thanks to the railroad modal. One in every five export containers arrive at the terminal by rail, a great logistical differential of the company, the only one in the south of the country with direct access in a bonded area. With an increase of almost 40% compared to 2021, 189,014 TEUs were handled by rail.
As for imports, pesticides grew 136% compared to the previous year, with a total of 21,024 containers in 2022, driven by the clearance of new import licenses and by TCP’s logistical differentials. In addition, increases in imports of solar panels and photovoltaic generators were recorded, with a 45% growth.
Investments and productivity
In 2022, TCP signed the acquisition of 11 new RTG-type (Rubber Tyred Gantry) cranes. The new and modern equipment are expected to arrive at the terminal by 2023, and are part of a larger investment package, which includes expanding the number of outlets for reefer containers by a significant 43%, power substation, expansion of the terminal’s access gates, mobile app for truck drivers, and new trucks for internal cargo transportation.
Vessel productivity rose significantly in 2022 at the terminal. In October, the company reached 202 movements per hour (MPH) in one ship, the highest productivity ever recorded by the company. According to the CEO, the increase in operational draft and support from port authorities was crucial. “The waiting time for berthing at our terminal dropped from over 13 hours in 2021, to just 7 hours. The constant actions of improvement by Portos do Paraná, the Navy, the Pilots, ANTAQ and other authorities in the sector had great effect on TCP, and we are grateful for the work done”.
Regarding the competitiveness of the terminal, James Cao explains that the logistical flexibility was a winning move to meet the demands of the market. The high number of regular maritime services, added to the wide range of logistics modals such as self-owned warehouses and connections with the railroad, allowed TCP to elaborate logistics flows tailored to its customers. “For 2023, we see that foreign trade dynamics are shifting to favor exporters and importers, with lower freight rates. With this, we expect greater volume peaks, which we are prepared to handle.” ends the director.
