Itajaí Port in Santa Catarina was the site of a fire incident in its operational area, raising attention to safety protocols at the port complex. The recent occurrence was recorded on the night of Saturday, April 25, 2026, at approximately 9:45 p.m., at the terminal currently managed by JBS Terminais, located in Itajaí's central port area.
According to information confirmed by the Port Authority, the fire reached a Mobile Harbour Crane (MHC), equipment essential for container loading and unloading operations. The flames completely consumed the equipment's structure, generating a dense column of smoke visible from different points across the city. Despite the severity of the incident, there was no official record of victims or injuries, with only material damage recorded.
During the emergency response, the SAAM tugboats, notably the SAAM Antares, played a strategic role in supporting containment teams and monitoring of the port area, working in conjunction with the Fire Department and the port's internal brigade. The swift mobilization prevented the flames from spreading to nearby containers, berthed vessels, or other critical terminal structures.
This episode occurs just days after another incident involving a fire alarm in port operations, also covered in previous shifts at Jornal Portuário, which raises an alert about the need for reinforced preventive inspections and fire-suppression systems within the complex.
According to documents from the port authority itself, scenarios involving fire, explosion, and leakage in MHCs already appear in the port's official emergency plans, with specific protocols for prompt response.
The causes of Saturday's fire will still be investigated by the competent authorities, and the expectation is that a technical inspection will identify whether there was a mechanical failure, electrical malfunction, or another external factor related to the equipment.
The case reignites discussions about the safety of operational assets, especially at a moment of recovery and strengthening of container operations at Itajaí Port.
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