APS defines new leadership in Itajaí

Port of Itajaí, in Santa Catarina (Luciano Sens/Port of Itajaí)

Attorney André Bonini is the new interim superintendent of the Port of Itajaí (SC). He is stepping down from his role as chief of staff to the presidency of Autoridade Portuária de Santos (APS), which assumed management of the Santa Catarina port complex on January 2. Bonini’s nomination was accepted and formalized by the Municipality of Itajaí last Monday (6).

He takes on the position temporarily at the Superintendence of the Port of Itajaí (SPI), replacing Fábio da Veiga, who was dismissed following APS's assumption of management of the Santa Catarina port complex for 12 months, as determined by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor).

“Bonini is someone I trust, and he also has the support of the Minister of Ports and Airports, Sílvio Costa Filho, for this mission,” said APS president Anderson Pomini in a statement.

The Santos administration explained that “Bonini’s appointment is technical and necessary” following the end of municipal management and the subsequent dismissal of the port’s previous board. “Several contracts were left without oversight. The appointment of new professionals is necessary to prevent the paralysis of works and services essential for the proper functioning of port activities in Itajaí,” APS added.

According to the Santos Port Authority, “the nomination by the Municipality of Itajaí stems from the operational agreement established between the Port Superintendence of Itajaí, a municipal authority managing the port until 2024, and APS. Under this agreement, both teams will work jointly on the necessary assessments for the transition, staff and job retention, administrative contracts, and various operational licenses.”

APS assumed management of the Santa Catarina port on January 2 and established a transition committee comprising three superintendents from the Port of Santos, led by APS’s Business Development and Regulation Director, Gustavo Salvador Pereira. Bonini is one of the members of this group.