Private-Use Terminal proposal emerges in Cubatão; what’s at stake

Land along the Piaçaguera Channel, near the Furadinho dike in the city of Cubatão, has returned to the policy agenda as officials revisit options for its future use. One possibility under discussion is the construction of a private-use terminal — known in Brazil as a Private Use Terminal (TUP), a port facility operated by a private company outside the public port system. The site is owned by steelmaker Usiminas, which said it “continuously evaluates alternatives for the best use of its logistics and port infrastructure.”

The idea gained traction after a meeting last week between Cubatão’s city government and representatives of São Paulo state authorities, where the suggestion reportedly surfaced at an early, exploratory stage, according to people familiar with the talks. Officials stress the matter is being handled cautiously.

In a statement, São Paulo’s investment partnerships secretariat said the meeting between Secretary Rafael Benini and Cubatão Mayor César Nascimento was “an institutional discussion focused on mobility and logistics needs in the region.” Any proposals, the secretariat added, will now follow the required technical and administrative procedures and be reviewed by the relevant authorities in line with their legal mandates.

The site’s potential use has been debated before. In 2019, Usiminas announced plans to build a terminal and develop a logistics and port network in Cubatão’s industrial district.

“In recent years, the company has focused on optimizing and expanding the use of existing port facilities, strengthening partnerships with regional companies through product shipments via the Cubatão Maritime Port Terminal,” Usiminas said in a note. The company added that this strategy aligns with broader logistics integration efforts in the industrial hub and with initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, including the first fertilizer discharge carried out at the terminal by industrial partners.

Port Boundary Considerations

One option under consideration would be to include the area within the official boundaries of the Port of Santos — a move that would require coordination with the Santos Port Authority.

In a statement, the port authority said the area in question is not currently included in plans to expand the Port of Santos’ official perimeter. It noted that other private terminal proposals are already under review, underscoring the expansion potential of the Santos port complex. Such projects, the authority said, are subject to feasibility and strategic planning assessments by Brazil’s Ports and Airports Ministry.

The ministry said that applications for private-use terminals follow a specific regulatory process and that any proposal received will be assessed in accordance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements.

Source: A Tribuna

Sharing is caring!