U.S. signals concerns over potential Chinese role in Santos port terminal

The United States consul general in São Paulo, Kevin Murakami, indicated that Washington would not favor a Chinese company winning the future auction for the Tecon 10 megaterminal, planned for the Port of Santos, according to a report by Folha de S.Paulo.

The diplomat made the remarks during a meeting with port industry executives in the Baixada Santista region earlier this month, the newspaper reported.

According to participants at the event, Murakami said the terminal should not fall into “undesirable hands,” a phrase interpreted as referring to the possibility of Chinese groups participating in the bidding process.

Tecon 10 is one of the main expansion projects planned for the Port of Santos, the largest port in Latin America. The project’s tender has not yet received a formal launch date.

Competition for ports in Latin America

U.S. diplomats have recently also criticized the growing influence of Chinese companies in Latin American port infrastructure.

In Peru, officials in Washington raised concerns over Chinese involvement in the Port of Chancay, a large-scale project financed with Chinese capital.

After a judicial ruling limited the oversight powers of Peru’s port regulator over the terminal, U.S. Ambassador to Peru Bernie Navarro described the situation as “concerning.”

“The United States would never allow a third country to manage critical assets within our territory,” the diplomat said.

Consulate cites “concerns”

Contacted by Folha de S.Paulo, the U.S. consulate denied that there had been direct pressure regarding the Brazilian terminal auction.

In a statement, however, it said the U.S. government has “concerns regarding the participation of Chinese companies,” citing issues such as security, sovereignty and strategic competition.

The Santos terminal project is seen as a key element in Brazil’s port logistics expansion and is expected to attract major international terminal operators.

Source: Revista Fórum

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