Port of Suape Establishes Technical Cooperation with Malaysian Port Giants

The Suape Complex began the second week of its trade mission in Southeast Asia with strategic results for the state of Pernambuco. In Port Klang, the largest port in Malaysia and one of the largest in the world, two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed with major players in the sector.

The agreements with Westports Malaysia and Northport, part of the MMC Port Holdings group, pave the way for the creation of new long-haul maritime services, the expansion of logistics connections, and the prospecting of new investments, consolidating the Pernambuco port complex as Brazil’s gateway to global markets.

Westports Malaysia is the world’s tenth-largest container terminal and one of the most important maritime hubs in Southeast Asia. Northport, in turn, is one of Malaysia’s largest multipurpose terminals and is part of the leading port group in the prosperous Asian nation.

Southeast Asia

Suape’s CEO, Armando Monteiro Bisneto, signed both memoranda on behalf of the Pernambuco port, formalizing the strategic partnerships. On behalf of Westports, the document was signed by CEO Vijaya Kumar, and for MMC Ports by CEO Dato’ Azman Shah Mohd Yusof.

“The memoranda go beyond a ceremonial act. They establish a formal and permanent communication channel between Suape and Port Klang, strengthening the interconnection between the two port complexes,” said Armando Bisneto.

“In the case of Westports, the terminal indicated the possibility of enabling long-haul maritime services between the two ports, in addition to future strategic investments that could represent significant progress for Suape and for Pernambuco,” he added.

In 2025, Westports Malaysia handled around 12 million TEUs, underscoring the port’s importance as a regional logistics hub, and is expanding to reach 28 million TEUs. In addition, it handled 12.8 million tonnes of conventional cargo, surpassing its own previous records.

Northport, meanwhile, recorded throughput of 3.8 million TEUs last year, an increase of 3.8% compared to 2024. In the conventional cargo segment, Northport set records, with more than 12.9 million tonnes handled in 2025, exceeding the previous year’s performance.

Port Klang

Located on the strategic Strait of Malacca, 38 kilometers from Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia’s capital), Port Klang stands out for its scale. In a country with around 35 million inhabitants, the total combined container volume handled by its terminals—including Westports and Northport—rose to 15.8 million TEUs in 2025.

Suape is participating in the mission as a guest of the Asia-Pacific Institute, with institutional support from the Brazil–ASEAN Joint Parliamentary Front, the National Congress, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Itamaraty). Also taking part in the mission are Suape’s legal director, João Paiva; the state-owned company’s special advisor to the presidency, Alexandre Cardoso; and the secretary of the Brazil–ASEAN Joint Parliamentary Front, Alex Kawano.

Singapore

Before arriving in Malaysia, the delegation visited Singapore, taking part in meetings with executives from Shopee and DBS Bank, as well as visits to Portek International and PSA International, major global port operators.

The third and final country on the agenda is Indonesia, where there will be an institutional meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat-General, headquartered in Jakarta, and a meeting with the directors of the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA). The delegation’s return to Brazil is scheduled for Saturday (28).

Source: Jornal do Comércio

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