The Brazilian Ministry of Ports and Airports recently announced a comprehensive investment plan for the privatization of major terminals in the country. With over 50 projects in the pipeline, including port leases and concessions, the plan aims to attract investments totaling more than $3 billion in the Brazilian port sector. Among the planned projects are five leases at the Port of Santos, including concessions for terminals and the navigation channel. One significant project is the auction of the STS10 Terminal, set for the last quarter of 2025, which will increase the container capacity of the port by 2 million TEUs.
To expedite these projects, the Ministry is collaborating closely with the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, stated that the goal is to hold 55 port sector auctions during President Lula’s term, aiming to promote modernization and efficiency across ports. The government also announced competitive credit lines and tax incentives to attract investors, with the Merchant Marine Fund allocating 30% of its budget to the port sector. Additionally, the port regulatory environment has been streamlined to reduce authorization processes.
Furthermore, an analysis by APM Terminals, A&M Infra, and Navarro Prado Advogados highlighted the potential for improved efficiency in Brazil’s port sector to attract ultra-large containerships, leading to significant savings on maritime transport costs. The study suggested that the use of mega ships linking the East Coast of South America to Asia could help develop a hub-and-spoke system in the Brazilian port sector, resulting in operational gains and potentially tripling transshipment volumes in the country.
