Maersk to expand Brazil footprint with additional depots in Rio Grande and Paranagua

A.P. Moller – Maersk announced new investments in two strategic inland facilities in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul state, and Paranaguá, Paraná state, expanding its logistics network in southern Brazil. The depots are designed to meet growing customer demand for integrated end-to-end solutions and reinforce Maersk’s long-term commitment to strengthening Brazil’s role in South American trade flows.

Rio Grande and Paranaguá were selected for their positions along high-volume export corridors and their proximity to major production hubs. Both sites are located near their respective ports, with direct road access to key regional distribution centers, allowing faster container turnaround, greater efficiency in inland transport and fewer bottlenecks during seasonal peaks. The facilities also strengthen connectivity between ports, inland markets and cross-border flows in South America. In Rio Grande, the depot will also support the cabotage network operated by Aliança Navegação e Logística.

The new depots meet customer demand for port-adjacent infrastructure that can reduce dwell times, expand capacity during export peaks, offer integrated solutions connecting ocean, inland and yard services, and increase reefer-handling capacity as agribusiness volumes grow. In Paranaguá, customers specifically highlighted the need for more space during periods of stronger demand for agricultural and refrigerated cargo. The expansion addresses that need by increasing the Cargo Services area to 6,000 square meters, allowing greater processing capacity and more efficient truck flow.

In Rio Grande, the facility is located just 2.5 km from the Port of Rio Grande, one of Brazil’s leading ports, and close to the main industrial hubs of southern Brazil. It covers about 70,000 square meters and is a multipurpose depot designed for high-volume operations. It handles both dry and refrigerated containers, provides storage for empty and full containers, and offers cargo services, cross-docking and operational support activities.

In Paranaguá, the project adds 3,160 square meters, bringing the total CFS area to 6,000 square meters. The expansion is aimed at reducing congestion and improving export cargo processing, while increasing capacity for dry cargo, reefer cargo and export flows.

Both sites feature optimized layouts to improve container handling and truck circulation, dedicated reefer plug capacity, and infrastructure designed for safe and efficient operations.

The developments incorporate energy-efficient layouts and operational optimizations to reduce fuel consumption and unnecessary movements. Waste-treatment systems and water reuse are also part of the project.

High-value integrated logistics solutions

The facilities will offer inspection, cleaning, container repair and operational support services, helping reduce customer lead times. The expanded infrastructure also enables Maersk to further integrate yard operations with inland transport, customs-related activities and ocean services. Among the main sectors expected to benefit are agribusiness exporters, reefer cargo shippers, industrial importers and companies seeking fully integrated end-to-end logistics solutions.

Maersk operates a national logistics network in Brazil that includes depots, warehouses, inland transport, air capabilities and integrated logistics solutions. The company’s total yard area exceeds 361,600 square meters, with units in the South, including Itapoá, Itajaí, Araquari and Paranaguá, in the Southeast, including Santos, São Bernardo do Campo and Cambé, in the North, including Manaus, and along the West/Southwest corridor, including Cascavel. This portfolio is complemented by more than 46,000 square meters of warehousing and distribution capacity in Cabo de Santo Agostinho in the Northeast, Cajamar in the Southeast and Navegantes in the South. The new facilities expand that network and reinforce Maersk’s long-term position in one of South America’s leading logistics markets.

Source: Maersk

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