APM Terminals to bring forward billion-real second investment phase in Suape by seven years

As the Suape Industrial Port Complex nears its 47th anniversary, it marks another major milestone in its long history. APM Terminals, a subsidiary of global shipping giant Maersk, announced it will bring forward by seven years the expansion of its container terminal at the Pernambuco port. The facility will become Latin America’s first 100% electrified terminal, positioning Suape as the most modern and sustainable logistics hub in the Southern Hemisphere.

The agreement was formalized on October 27 by Pernambuco Governor Raquel Lyra during a meeting at Maersk’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“Here in Denmark, we are visiting Maersk, which is building the container terminal at the Port of Suape — the most modern in Latin America and fully electrified. It represents R$2.2 billion in investment for the first phase, and a second stage is already being planned. Maersk has requested a new area for expansion in Suape, and we’ll ensure these investments continue in Pernambuco,” said Lyra.

Suape’s CEO, Armando Monteiro Bisneto, also attended the meeting and expressed optimism: “The request for a new area to expand the terminal means more investment and more jobs. It will be a major logistics boost for Pernambuco.”

Originally scheduled to begin in 2034, the second phase of construction will now start in 2027, following the completion of the first phase’s capacity. “We believe deeply in our project at the Port of Suape and see room for expansion in the near future. The goal is to build a high-tech terminal that will greatly benefit Pernambuco’s businesses,” said Daniel Rose, managing director of APM Terminals.

See below a historical overview of long-haul container throughput at the Port of Suape starting in January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data and excludes transshipment, cabotage, and other internal movements:

Long-Haul Container Throughput via Port of Suape | Jan 2022 to Sep 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

Cutting-edge technology

The terminal, designed to operate with full electric and digital systems, is currently under construction and expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026.

With an initial capacity of 400,000 TEUs per year, the project will generate about 2,000 direct and 4,000 indirect jobs during the construction phase. Once operational, it will employ 250 direct workers and over 2,000 indirect, giving a significant boost to the regional economy.

During the Copenhagen meeting, participants also discussed the progress of engineering works, licensing stages, supplier contracts, and integration with Pernambuco’s ongoing infrastructure projects in Suape — including internal channel dredging, completed external dredging, and pier rehabilitation.

The meeting was attended by Caroline Pontoppidan, Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Affairs at Maersk; Concepción Boo Arias, Maersk’s Director of Global Partnerships and ESG, Public and Regulatory Affairs; Renato Cunha, President of the Pernambuco Sugar Industry Association (Sindaçúcar); Marcelo Guerra, Vice President of Movimento Atitude; Bruno Veloso, President of the Pernambuco Industry Federation (FIEPE); and Massimo Cadorin, its vice president.

The Pernambuco delegation also included state secretaries Guilherme Cavalcanti (Economic Development), João Salles (Special Advisory and International Relations), and André Teixeira Filho (Mobility and Infrastructure), as well as executive secretaries Rayane Aguiar (International Relations) and Daniela Britto (Press).

Source: Informativo dos Portos 

Sharing is caring!