Brazil’s Port of Açu targets agribusiness growth with new grain terminal by 2028

The Port of Açu, in the state of Rio de Janeiro—known as Brazil’s largest exporter of oil and gas—is entering a new phase with an eye on agribusiness, aiming to expand its role in fertilizer and grain shipments.

Inaugurated in 2015 and active in agribusiness since 2020, the port transported around 550,000 tonnes of grains in 2024, including soybeans, corn, coffee, and wheat. The goal for 2025 is to reach 1 million tonnes.

To achieve this, the port is pursuing a strategy that includes a memorandum of understanding with the government of Goiás and plans to inaugurate a dedicated grain terminal by 2028. With an investment of R$500 million, the terminal is expected to handle 1.8 million tonnes in its first year and has the potential to reach 3 million tonnes using only road transport.

João Braz, Commercial and Terminals Director at the Port of Açu, spoke to the press about the port’s strategy to gain ground in the agribusiness sector.

It all started with fertilizers

Initially, Açu’s strategy focused on importing fertilizers, positioning itself as an alternative to the Port of Vitória, which has historically suffered from long vessel queues and demurrage costs—fees charged for delays in returning containers beyond the agreed time. Açu offered a solution during peak congestion periods.

“To make the cost of road freight for fertilizers viable—which would otherwise be too expensive if it were only for imports—we pursued grain exports as a counterbalance. Grain is the best match for fertilizer to optimize logistical costs,” said Braz.

Currently, all grain and fertilizer shipments at the port operate out of what is called the TMult terminal.

Focus on GMO-free corn

One of the main products exported through the port is GMO-free corn, which is not genetically modified and is intended for human consumption, such as in breakfast cereals. Braz explained that Açu stands out in this market because the corn cannot come into contact with other varieties.

“This corn is non-GMO, so it requires separation. It can’t touch the railway system, for instance, because of the risk of contamination. It has to be moved via road,” he explained, noting that all of this corn comes from Goiás.

Grain volumes transported by the port from 2023 to now (in tonnes):

Soybeans – 242,939

Corn – 134,037

Wheat – 32,546

Coffee – 15,549

The terminal can receive Panamax ships—vessels with 60,000-tonne capacity, considered the standard size for soybean exports. In 2023, TMult handled 2.1 million tonnes, a 33% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Waiting for the railway

The EF-118 railway project, which will connect Vitória (ES) to Rio de Janeiro (RJ), is Açu’s big bet to cement its position in grain transportation. The railway project is in its final study phase, and the engineering plan was submitted to the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) at the end of July.

The railway is expected to be fully operational by 2033. With this in place, Braz says Açu could handle up to 8 million tonnes of grains per year.

“Our goal is to see agribusiness volumes reach 8 to 9 million tonnes handled through the port within 10 years,” he concluded.

Açu: Eike Batista’s ‘pharaonic’ project

The Port of Açu, situated in São João da Barra, northern Rio de Janeiro state, was conceived by businessman Eike Batista in 2007. Originally, the ambitious plan envisioned the country’s largest port, the largest shipyard in the Americas, and an industrial hub. Today, it is the largest industrial port complex in Latin America, home to 28 companies and 11 world-class terminals.

Construction began in November 2007, and port operations commenced in October 2014 with the first shipment of iron ore. The total cost reached R$9 billion—R$1.4 billion over the initial estimate—and was completed four years behind schedule.

Control of the port was taken over by U.S. investment firm EIG in December 2013, following a R$1.1 billion investment that gave it a 53% stake in the former LLX, now renamed Prumo Logística. Prumo Logística Global S.A. is currently controlled by EIG Management Company LLC (80.2%) and the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Development Company (6.9%).

Source: Isto é Dinheiro

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