Government Plans BRL 1.7 Billion in Public Port Investments for 2025

The Ministry of Ports and Airports expects public investments in port infrastructure to reach BRL 1.7 billion in 2025, a more than 60% increase from the BRL 1.04 billion allocated last year. Private sector investment in ports is projected at BRL 18 billion this year, up from BRL 13.5 billion in 2024. Minister Silvio Costa Filho outlined these figures as part of the 2024/25 Grain Harvest Outflow Plan.

From January to November 2024, Brazilian ports handled 1.2 billion tonnes of general cargo. The ministry estimates that full-year throughput will rise by 4.23% to 1.358 billion tonnes. This includes at least 120 million tonnes of soybeans, 50 million tonnes of corn, and 40 million tonnes of imported fertilizers.

Agricultural shipments through the Northern Arc ports have already outpaced volumes at Santos. Between January and November 2024, these ports handled 55.5 million tonnes of grains and fertilizers, compared to 43.6 million tonnes at the Port of Santos. Meanwhile, the ports of Paranaguá (PR), Rio Grande (RS), and São Francisco do Sul (SC) collectively moved another 43.3 million tonnes.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Ports projects a 30% increase in grain volumes handled by Brazilian ports by 2035, with an expected annual growth rate of 2%. Infrastructure projects worth BRL 850 million are currently underway in the Northern Arc, while another BRL 1.25 billion is being invested in the South.

Under its concessions program, the government anticipates investing BRL 20 billion in 50 port projects between 2024 and 2026. In 2025 alone, concessionaires and lessees are expected to invest BRL 8.54 billion in 21 projects, including 20 lease contracts and one full concession.

At the Port of Santos, BRL 4.5 billion in investments are planned. Another BRL 1.07 billion is earmarked for Paranaguá’s port channel concession—the first-ever concession for public port access in Brazil.

A ministry presentation highlighted BRL 3.14 billion in planned investments in solid bulk terminals, mainly for top agricultural exports such as soybeans and corn. The government also expects BRL 210 million in investments next year across three contracts for solid bulk and fertilizer terminals in the North.

The Ministry of Ports also plans to allocate BRL 946 million for waterway infrastructure. This includes maintenance dredging in the Madeira and Tapajós rivers, a nautical signaling plan for the Madeira and Paraná rivers, and the launch of rock removal works at Pedral do Lourenço on the Tocantins River.

Additionally, the government is working to structure a portfolio of concession projects for six key inland waterways: Madeira (RO/AM); Paraguay (MT/MS); Lagoa Mirim (RS); Barra Norte (AP/PA); Tocantins (PA/MA/TO); Tapajós (PA/MT).

From January to November 2024, cargo throughput on Brazil’s inland waterways totaled 116.6 million tonnes. The full-year volume is expected to reach 127.2 million tonnes, marking a decline from 2023.

Agricultural commodities made up half of all cargo transported via inland navigation, with soybeans accounting for 31 million tonnes, corn 22 million tonnes, and fertilizers 5 million tonnes. The Northern Arc continues to dominate grain transportation, handling 97% of all soybeans and corn moved by river.

Source: Canal Rural

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