Maersk expands Northeast Brazil logistics network with Suape distribution center

Maersk is expanding its logistics reach in Northeast Brazil with a new distribution center near the Port of Suape, as regional cargo activity records its strongest growth in five years.

Located in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco state, the facility covers approximately 12,000 square meters and is designed to serve customers in industries including consumer goods, automotive, technology and retail.

Northeast Brazil handled 329.7 million metric tons of cargo by sea and inland waterways in 2025. Containerized cargo reached 21.2 million metric tons, up 9% from the previous year—the region’s highest growth rate in five years.

The figures were compiled by Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports using data from the National Waterway Transportation Agency’s, or Antaq’s, Waterway Statistics database.

Maersk’s distribution center is located around 20 kilometers from the Suape Industrial Port Complex and Recife/Guararapes International Airport. It also has direct access to BR-101, one of the main highways connecting states across Northeast Brazil.

The facility is already fully operational, serving customers in the premium beverage and spare parts segments. It also provides cross-docking services aimed at accelerating cargo distribution and reducing handling times.

The center has 36 loading docks and can receive as many as 36 containers at the same time, allowing it to accommodate customers with different operational requirements.

Ricardo Rocha, Maersk’s president for Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Argentina, said the expansion of retail and broader economic activity in the Northeast is increasing demand for more integrated and resilient supply chains.

“Northeast Brazil is playing an increasingly strategic role in the country’s economic development, attracting investment, expanding consumption and creating new business opportunities,” Rocha said.

“Our goal is to support this growth with integrated logistics solutions that connect companies, markets and consumers with greater efficiency, predictability and speed. By combining warehousing, transportation and supply chain management, we help our customers reduce operational complexity and strengthen their competitiveness in an increasingly dynamic environment.”

The facility is equipped to handle a wide range of cargo safely, supporting regional trade in sectors including retail, automotive, consumer goods, electronics, pet food, solar energy, personal care, household products, disposable goods, food and beverages.

It can also handle household appliances and other cargo profiles, providing flexibility as logistics demand grows across the region.

Maersk said the center has adopted measures intended to improve operational efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include waste separation and recycling, full LED lighting and all-electric cargo-handling equipment powered by lithium batteries, which allow faster charging and higher productivity.

The facility offers integrated services covering cargo receipt, warehousing and inventory management, order preparation and final distribution.

Operations are managed through Maersk’s proprietary warehouse management system, which coordinates each stage of the logistics flow on a single platform.

Real-time monitoring and radio-frequency-enabled processes are intended to improve operational efficiency, accuracy and visibility. According to Maersk, the system also provides greater flexibility and customization than conventional warehouse management solutions.

Source: Maersk

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