The construction has been commissioned by Libra Terminais, which took over box operations in June 2005, and which has a contract to operate the container terminal there until 2012. Plans are afoot to create a new pre-stacking area for import and export containers, totalling 30,000 sq m. This will be completed by the beginning of March, after which a further 80,000 sq m of extra storage area will be built. The entire expansion project will cost in the region of US$14m and also covers the cost of 252 reefer plugs, specifically included to facilitate the growing chicken trade out of Brazil.
Most of Brazil’s ports are straining to accommodate its growing industries. As it is, Imbituba is already the overflow port for the overloaded ports of Itajai and Sao Francisco do Sul.
