Antaq Sees Potential for Fierce Competition over Superterminal in Santos

The National Agency for Waterway Transportation (Antaq) has already been approached by six to eight private groups interested in participating in the auction for the new container super terminal at the Port of Santos (SP).

According to reports given to CNN by authorities directly involved in the auction preparations, this indicates that the restrictions imposed by Antaq are not expected to hinder competition for the project.

At least four major foreign operators have already contacted the Brazilian government and Antaq regarding the Tecon Santos 10: the Chinese shipping company Cosco; China Merchants, which operates a container terminal in Paranaguá (PR); PSA, the port authority of Singapore and one of the world’s largest; and the Filipino ICTSI, which already operates in Suape (PE) and Rio de Janeiro.

Two Brazilian groups have also expressed interest: JBS Terminais and Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN). JBS took over operations at the Port of Itajaí (SC) last year. CSN operates the container terminal in Itaguaí (RJ) with Sepetiba Tecon.

In addition to these, authorities told CNN that two financial market investors, BTG and Pátria Investimentos, have shown interest. If they eventually participate and win the auction, however, they will need to hire an operator to manage the process.

Whether as shareholders or contracted operators, Antaq has already decided to bar from participating—at least in the first stage of the auction—those who already handle containers in Santos.
This rule excludes from the bidding the French CMA CGM (owner of Santos Brasil), the Swiss MSC, and the Danish Maersk (controllers of BTP), as well as DPW (from the United Arab Emirates).
In the second stage, if there are no bids in the first phase, the auction will be opened to current operators in Santos. However, they would only be allowed to take over Tecon Santos 10 after divesting their current assets—another requirement that has drawn criticism from the companies.

Antaq has set a prerequisite: the operator of the new super terminal must have prior experience handling 100,000 containers per year.

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)

Once fully operational, Tecon Santos 10 will handle 3.5 million containers annually and increase the capacity of the largest port in Latin America by about 50%. The expected investment is nearly R$6 billion.

In the ruling that endorses the model approved by Antaq, the National Secretary of Ports, Alex Avila, states: “Tecon Santos 10 should provide the market with the best auction model to expand the capacity of the country’s largest port asset, especially by ensuring that competitive proportions are treated fairly, always seeking the consistent and appropriate application of public policies that support the sector’s expansion.”

The model has been forwarded to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), where it is currently under review.

Source: CNN Brasil

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