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Billion-dollar expansion at Tecon Rio Grande prepares terminal to receive larger ships, expand international operations, and strengthen Mercosur logistics with new equipment, modernization of port infrastructure, and direct impact on thousands of jobs related to transportation, foreign trade, and services in southern Brazil.
Wilson Sons announced an investment of over R$ 1.1 billion to expand Tecon Rio Grande, a container terminal located at the Port of Rio Grande, on the coast of Rio Grande do Sul, in a project that is expected to progress gradually until 2030.
In addition to the physical expansion of the terminal, the package includes modernization of the back area, renewal of operational equipment, and acquisition of automated electric machines, amid the increasing logistics demand in the South of the country and the growth of operations related to Mercosur.
Among the planned changes is the extension of the quay from 900 meters to 1,200 meters, a structure that will allow the simultaneous operation of up to three New Panamax ships, large vessels mainly used on long-haul international routes.
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Tecon Rio Grande expansion aims at Mercosur growth
According to Wilson Sons, the expansion was planned to keep up with the advancement of logistics demand in Rio Grande do Sul and in Southern Cone countries, especially in light of increased exports and transshipment cargo movement in the region.
Today, the terminal already receives goods from Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, used in connections with international markets through the Port of Rio Grande, which concentrates strategic operations for exporters and importers in the South American region.
The main exported products include frozen chicken, pork, tobacco, rice, resins, cellulose, and furniture, while imports include machinery, industrial parts, chemicals, steel articles, and various types of electronic equipment.
According to the company, the expansion aims to reduce risks of operational bottlenecks in a scenario of accelerated transformation in maritime transport, marked by the increasing use of larger ships that demand more from port infrastructure.
Works at the Port of Rio Grande expected to generate thousands of jobs
With the start of interventions, the company’s expectation is to generate about 500 temporary jobs directly linked to the works, involving engineering, construction, maintenance, and operational support activities within the port area.
After the completion of the expansion, the terminal’s operation is expected to open approximately 220 permanent positions, while other sectors of the logistics chain are expected to be impacted by the increased circulation of cargo and services related to foreign trade.
The projection by Wilson Sons also points to the creation of more than 5,000 indirect jobs in areas such as road transport, maintenance, port services, commerce, and support operations related to the regional flow of goods.
Terminal will receive automated cranes and electric tractors
In addition to the expansion of the quay, the project includes interventions in the terminal’s back area, with paving of more than 180,000 square meters to improve internal cargo circulation and expand the operational capacity of the port complex.
The purchase of three quay cranes, 14 yard cranes, and 26 electric tractors equipped with onboard automation systems, remote operation, and telemetry monitoring is also planned.
With this structure, the company intends to increase the terminal’s operational efficiency, reduce yard limitations, and prepare the unit to handle larger container volumes in the coming years.
The CEO of Tecon Rio Grande, Paulo Bertinetti, stated that the expansion is necessary to ensure the flow of production from exporters in Rio Grande do Sul and the Southern Cone.
According to him, delaying investments could lead to ship queues, skipped calls, and cargo diversion to other ports.
Port of Rio Grande reinforces strategic role in international logistics
Responsible for connecting Rio Grande do Sul to international maritime routes and Mercosur markets, Tecon Rio Grande occupies a strategic position for export, import, cabotage, and transshipment operations in Southern Brazil.
The terminal’s location favors road, rail, and waterway access, a scenario that boosts the interest of logistics operators and shipowners who depend on structures capable of receiving increasingly larger vessels.
With the expansion planned by Wilson Sons, the terminal is expected to strengthen its role as a regional cargo hub for the Southern Cone, increasing its capacity for simultaneous service to New Panamax ships and reducing risks of operational congestion.
Commenting on the project, the company stated that the investment is part of a strategy aimed at preserving the region’s logistical competitiveness, in light of changes in international maritime transport and the growth of foreign trade between neighboring countries.
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