Brazil moves ahead with BRL 500M STS10 container terminal auction

Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) on Monday (12) completed another decisive step toward launching what it describes as the largest port project in the country’s history. In line with the timetable previously announced to the market, the National Secretariat of Ports signed the final decision approving the project’s definitive structure and formally forwarded the documentation to the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) for publication of the tender notice for STS10 terminal.

The submission was made ahead of the ministry’s internal deadline of Jan. 15, reinforcing the government’s stated commitment to unlocking a project that has been under discussion since 2012 but has only now advanced to its final stage under the current administration. The federal government expects the auction to be held in the second half of March.

To ensure legal certainty and competitive viability, MPor fully incorporated the recommendations and determinations of Brazil’s federal audit court, the Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU). These include measures aimed at preventing market concentration in the first phase of the bidding process and the establishment of a minimum concession fee of 500 million reais.

“We understand that governance is the foundation of an auction of this scale. We delivered what we promised. In addition to setting a significant minimum concession fee so that the proceeds can be reinvested in structural works, we ensured that the winning bidder will invest in a new passenger terminal, which will receive more than 800 million reais in improvements,” Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho said.

National Secretary of Ports Alex Ávila highlighted the handling of the process. “We carried out the adjustments with maximum speed, without sacrificing the technical rigor required by a project of this magnitude. By forwarding the final model to Antaq ahead of the deadline, we are signaling to the market that the timetable is a priority. We are delivering a robust project, validated by the TCU and ready to attract major investments,” he said.

The STS10 project is framed by the government as more than a traditional infrastructure investment, positioning it as a strategic move in Brazil’s role in global trade. Once operational, the new terminal is expected to help lift Brazil from 45th to 15th place in the global container throughput ranking, while consolidating Santos as the largest port hub in the Southern Hemisphere and a key gateway for national exports.

With the approval of the project structure, the next step will be its presentation to domestic and international investors. MPor has requested that Antaq immediately organize a roadshow, with dates expected to be announced later this week, aimed at ensuring transparency and attracting major global players to the bidding process.

The new terminal will cover an area of 621,000 square meters and will be dedicated to container handling and general cargo operations. Tecon Santos 10 is expected to further strengthen the Port of Santos, already Latin America’s largest port complex and Brazil’s main port in terms of cargo volume, accounting for 29% of the country’s foreign trade.

The chart below provides an overview of containerized exports and imports at the Port of Santos, featuring Datamar data.

Port of Santos | Exports x Imports | Jan 2022 – Nov 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

With the addition of the new terminal, the port’s annual container handling capacity is projected to reach 9 million TEUs. The project includes the construction of four vessel berths. Under the established criteria, the auction will be awarded to the bidder offering the highest concession fee, starting from a floor of 500 million reais, with the concession granted for a 25-year term.

Source: Ministry of Ports and Airports

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