Portonave announces new shipping service between the Americas

Portonave, Brazil’s first private container port terminal, has expanded its portfolio of maritime connections with the inclusion of the ZIM Gulf Toucan (ZGT) service, operated by shipping line ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. ZGT strengthens the integration between the East Coast of South America and major logistics hubs in the Caribbean, the U.S. East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico, expanding opportunities for importers and exporters.

With weekly frequency, the service offers the market one of the most comprehensive coverages for Brazilian cargo bound for the Americas. The line operates with eight vessels in rotation and calls at strategic ports in Mexico, the United States, Jamaica, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, expanding logistics alternatives for exporters and importers.

Among the types of cargo served by this route are timber and wood products, paper, machinery, base metals, chemical products, frozen meat, food products, among others.

With the inclusion of the ZGT service, Portonave strengthens its presence on major long‑haul routes, positioning itself as a competitive gateway for foreign trade. With the new service, the Company now offers connections to three continents — Asia, Europe and the Americas — as well as cabotage services along the Brazilian coast.

Cooperation with ONE

The operation is carried out under a Vessel Sharing Agreement (VSA), a cooperation model in which shipping companies share vessels within the same service, optimizing capacity and expanding route coverage. In this partnership, ZIM acts as the lead carrier, while Ocean Network Express (ONE) participates as a slotter — a model in which the shipping line does not directly operate the vessels but sells slots on the service’s ships, increasing capacity availability to the market.

About Portonave

The Company is located in Navegantes, on the North Coast of Santa Catarina, and began operations in 2007 as Brazil’s first private port terminal. In the national ranking, in 2025, Portonave ranked fourth in long‑haul full container handling in the country, with a 9% market share, according to Datamar. Currently, the Company generates 1,300 direct jobs and 5,500 indirect jobs.

In addition to its operational excellence, the Company is committed to ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) best practices and continuously invests in projects aimed at community development. In 2025, Portonave was recognized with the Diamond Sustainability Seal by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) and was named the eighth best large company to work for in Santa Catarina, according to Great Place to Work (GPTW).