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New sea route between Brazil and China, dredging for larger ships and port expansion mark a new phase in the naval industry focused on agricultural exports
A new phase of agricultural logistics in Brazil is beginning to take shape with concrete actions to facilitate the transport of goods to China. The subject was discussed in the panel “China’s Role in the Growth of Brazilian Agribusiness”, mediated by Maria Fernanda Delmas, editorial director of Valor.
The experts gathered at the event highlighted important advances in the logistics infrastructure between the two countries.
New sea link reduces time and cost
One of the recent highlights is the inauguration of a new sea route between Brazil and China. The link connects the Brazilian ports of Santana, in Amapá, and Salvador, in Bahia, with the Port of Gaolan, located in the Chinese city of Zhuhai.
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According to Fernanda Maciel, deputy director of institutional relations at CNA/Senar, the new logistics corridor will reduce transportation time by 30 days and logistics costs by 30%.
This corridor serves strategic areas of agricultural and mineral production, increasing the efficiency and competitiveness of Brazilian products in the Asian market. The expectation is that the new route will further strengthen the partnership between Brazil and China.
Expansion of ports and internal corridors
Another point discussed in the panel was the expansion of logistics corridors in Brazil. Portos do Paraná, which manages the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina, is investing in expanding access routes to optimize the flow of grains.
In the road sector, 3,3 kilometers of new roads are expected to be granted to the private sector. The aim is to facilitate truck traffic and speed up cargo movement.
In the railway sector, plans are even more ambitious. An ongoing project envisages the construction of a new railway structure in the eastern region of the Port of Paranaguá.
The area is home to 11 exporters of vegetable bulk. The so-called Nova Ferroeste will add 1.567 kilometers to the Paraná railway network, connecting Maracaju, in Mato Grosso do Sul, to the port of Paraná. In Cascavel, in Paraná, there will be forks with branches to Chapecó and Foz do Iguaçu.
Dredging for large vessels
Victor Kengo, director of engineering and maintenance at Portos do Paraná, confirmed that there are plans to also expand the Waterway Access Channel.
The concession to the private sector is underway. The planned investment exceeds R$1 billion and includes dredging work to deepen the draft from 13 to 15,5 meters. This will allow larger ships to enter.
In the business sector, the Chinese presence in Brazil continues to grow. Food giant Cofco, with global revenues of US$50,1 billion in 2024, has announced its intention to expand its operations. Guo Junping, the company's director, said the goal is to reach more producers and cooperatives in the country.
Another group present at the event was Citic Agriculture. Since 2017, the company has maintained an operation in Paracatu, Minas Gerais, with 1.600 employees and an investment of R$400 million.
Chairman Liu Zhiyong said the company and its research arm, Longping Hightech, will continue to invest in agricultural research and production in Brazil.
Alert for external risks
Despite the positive scenario, one concern was highlighted. Larissa Wachholz, coordinator of the China Program at Cebri, warned about the possible effects of US trade policy.
According to her, the protectionism of the Donald Trump government could pose future risks for Brazil in global trade relations.
With information from O Globo.
