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Lula Government Launches Mega Project for Port Terminal Auctions, Forecasting R$ 11 Billion in Investments. Between 2023 and 2026, 35 Terminals Will Be Bid.
Brazil is about to experience one of the biggest milestones in its history of port infrastructures.
An ambitious plan is underway, and the promise of colossal investments will transform the country’s port terminals.
However, what many people do not know is that this project has an unprecedented scale, with implications that go far beyond logistical improvements.
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You are about to witness one of the largest movements by the federal government in the national economy.
According to sources from the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the federal government is about to carry out the largest round of port concessions ever seen in Brazil, with auctions scheduled to occur by the end of 2026.
There will be more than 20 terminals to be bid, expecting to mobilize an impressive R$ 8.7 billion in private investments.
The schedule is already set and is expected to be officially announced in November 2024.
Historical Auctions and Investment Forecasts
According to Folha de S. Paulo, the Lula government (PT) plans to conduct the largest volume of port auctions in the history of the country, surpassing what has been done in the last ten years.
Between 2023 and 2026, 35 terminals will undergo concessions, with a total estimated investment of R$ 11.085 billion.
This figure includes the construction of new terminals, expansion and modernization of existing infrastructures, as well as improvements in services provided by the ports.
Highlighted Terminals and Billion-Dollar Investments
The first auctions are expected to take place in 2024, particularly for the terminals in the ports of Santana (AP), Maceió (AL), and Itaguaí (RJ).
The latter is considered the largest in the current portfolio, with an anticipated investment of R$ 3.580 billion.
The new terminal will be built from scratch in an area of 249 thousand square meters and will receive iron ore.
In Santos (SP), the government will also bid on the STS10 container terminal, which will receive over R$ 3.507 billion in improvements and expansion.
The official schedule plans for these two terminal auctions to take place by the end of 2025, establishing them as the most valuable concessions in the privatization program.
In particular, the STS10 terminal is expected to help ease the high demand for container space at the port of Santos, which is currently operating close to 90% of its capacity.
Strategic Regions and Terminals in Northern Brazil
Another point of emphasis in the government’s plan is the focus on the Northern region, which is set to receive a significant portion of the planned investments.
In the port of Itaqui (MA), for example, there is a forecast of R$ 1.567 billion to expand the capacity for receiving vegetable bulk cargo, while the port of Vila do Conde (PA) will see an injection of R$ 1.131 billion for modernization of its facilities and increase in processing capacity for minerals such as alumina and bauxite.
Forecast Until 2026: More Than 50 Auctions
By the end of 2026, the federal government intends to conduct 58 auctions, including projects that are still in the study phase. Silvio Costa Filho, Minister of Ports and Airports, states that this strategy will place Brazil on a new level of competitiveness in the port sector.
“Our goal is to reach R$ 20 billion in investments by the end of this cycle”, emphasized the minister. “We will do in four years what has not been done in a decade.”
Calendar and Projected Financial Contributions
The auction calendar foresees the following investments and highlighted terminals for the coming years:
- Santana/AP (MCP03) – R$ 88.9 million (2024)
- Itaguaí/RJ (ITG02) – R$ 3.580 billion (2024)
- Santos/SP (STS10) – R$ 3.507 billion (1st quarter of 2025)
- Vila do Conde/PA (VDC29) – R$ 716 million (1st quarter of 2025)
- Itaqui/MA (IQI15) – R$ 1.567 billion (1st quarter of 2026)
These auctions aim to increase Brazil’s export capacity, modernize port infrastructure, and attract more private investment to strategic sectors.
According to experts, these concessions are essential for the country to keep pace with the growth of international trade and improve its logistical efficiency.
Challenges and Expectations
Although the promise of major investments is seen positively, the government’s plan also faces challenges.
Some critics point out that bureaucracy and delays in regulatory processes may hinder the schedule, in addition to the need for improvements in project governance.
However, the government remains confident that it will be able to execute the port terminal auctions on time and secure the necessary capital flow to revitalize the port sector.
With all these auctions and billion-dollar investments, will Brazil finally be able to compete on equal footing with the world’s largest powers in the port sector?
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