Antaq Approves Auction Model for Megaterminal in Santos

The board of the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) has unanimously approved the auction model for the lease of Tecon Santos 10, a container megaterminal located at the Port of Santos (SP). The proposal includes a restriction on current container cargo operators already active within the port complex. The auction studies have now been submitted to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) for review.

The guidelines for the auction were established by the Ministry of Ports and Airports and incorporated into the draft notice, as indicated in a technical note produced after a public hearing that discussed the studies with stakeholders. The decision was based on a recommendation by Antaq’s acting director-general, Caio Farias. The decision was taken on an ad referendum basis and required confirmation by the other board members in a meeting held this Thursday (June 5).

The restriction on current terminal owners was justified to prevent a greater concentration of container handling operations in the hands of existing operators at the Port of Santos. Most of these terminals are controlled or affiliated with the world’s largest shipping companies — the vessel owners, commonly referred to as “armadores”.”

As indicated in previous documents, the restriction on current container terminal owners will apply in the first round of bidding. However, if no interested parties come forward, the restriction will be lifted in the second round.

“This concern about competition in the market and in the auction itself was something I raised when I said, ‘We must include participation rules,’ because we have precedents, justifications, and technical rationale that are all very well-grounded,” said a board member Flávia Takafashi.

Farias confirmed that the auction studies have already been submitted for TCU review.

Tecon Santos 10 has been classified as the largest container terminal in the port complex, with a projected investment of R$ 5.6 billion.

Below is a historical overview of cargo throughput from Santos Port. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Cargo Throughput from Santos Port | Jan 2022 – Apr 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The sector highly anticipates the expansion of container handling capacity at the Port of Santos. The auction process has been under discussion for over a decade. Market projections indicate that the port complex could reach full capacity for container throughput by 2028.

If confirmed, the auction for the megaterminal will be the largest ever held in Brazil for leasing public port areas. The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, is a key advocate for the project and has been engaging with international investors.

During the board meeting, Takafashi noted that board members have observed “interest from various national and international players” in the project. According to her, this interest should be confirmed during the roadshow the government will conduct abroad.

“In the past 90 days, we’ve all received numerous inquiries here from interested parties. What became very clear is the strong appetite among both international and national players to participate in this bidding process. So I think that is quite evident,” emphasized Farias. Antaq board member Alber Vasconcelos added that investment funds are also showing interest in the terminal.

Vasconcelos addressed criticism directed at Antaq, which, on the one hand, has been praised for implementing a “pro-competition remedy,” while on the other hand, has been accused of restricting participation by the major container terminal operators in Santos.

“We’re used to facing this kind of pressure — otherwise, we wouldn’t be sitting in these seats. We’re used to listening to the market; this is part of the evolution of this agency,” said Vasconcelos.

Source: Valor Econômico

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