Santa Clara, Brazil

Port Overview

Santa Clara, Brazil is a specialized port terminal located in southeastern Brazil, approximately 15 nautical miles upstream from Porto Alegre and 170 nautical miles north of Rio Grande, at the end of Canal Santa Clara. The port primarily serves as a chemical terminal, operated by Braskem and used by major industrial companies. While not among Brazil’s largest container ports, Santa Clara plays a strategic role in regional industrial logistics, supporting chemical and bulk cargo operations. Its annual TEU capacity is approximately 552,000, making it a significant regional facility for specialized cargo.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Santa Clara, Brazil, features a key container terminal operated by Wilson Sons, with a focus on barge-based inland waterway transport. The terminal handles containers, dry bulk, and general cargo, and includes a chemical terminal owned by Braskem. Facilities include Pier IV, a 160 TEU capacity barge, and 24-hour operations. The terminal is ISPS compliant and equipped for efficient container handling, but there is no public information indicating the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or large ship-to-shore cranes.

Container Terminals

Santa Clara, Brazil’s container terminal (Tecon Santa Clara) features one operational berth and is served by two river barges, offering four weekly calls. The terminal’s annual capacity is approximately 60,000 TEU, with recent upgrades increasing barge capacity by 33%. Automation is limited, focusing on efficient barge operations rather than advanced terminal automation. The major operator is Wilson Sons, in partnership with Braskem.

Port Services

• Container handling: Dedicated terminal for containerized cargo, including import, export, and cabotage operations.
• Cargo operations: Facilities for dry bulk, general cargo, and chemical products; multimodal transport via road and waterway.
• Ship services: 24-hour operational terminal, ISPS compliant, vessel scheduling, berthing, and support.
• Warehousing: Storage solutions for various cargo types within the terminal complex.
• Customs: All formalities and customs procedures managed at Porto Alegre Inner Roads Anchorage.

Global Connectivity

Santa Clara, Brazil, is a multimodal terminal strategically located in the Triunfo Petrochemical Complex, serving as a key inland link to the Port of Rio Grande. It connects to major ports via four weekly barge services, facilitating access to international shipping routes. The terminal serves central and northern Rio Grande do Sul, including cities like Caxias do Sul and Farroupilha, enabling efficient import, export, and cabotage operations to global markets.

Port Statistics

Santa Clara, Brazil – Key Port Statistics (2025):

• TEU Throughput: Data not individually reported; Santa Catarina ports collectively handled 1.38 million TEUs in H1 2025.
• World Ranking: Not listed among the top global container ports.
• Number of Berths: Specific number for Santa Clara unavailable.
• Port Area: Not publicly specified.
• Shipping Lines: Major global and regional carriers serve Santa Catarina ports, including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Hamburg Süd.

Note: Santa Clara is not a primary container port; most container activity in Santa Catarina is concentrated at Itapoá, Portonave, and Itajaí.