Ecoporto wants contract renewed amid fierce dispute over Port of Santos area

The renovation of Ecoporto’s lease contract with the Santos Port Authority (APS) and its proposed relocation to an adjacent area of about the same size near the Saboó pier is facing significant opposition from major shipping companies, who wish to see the entire region slated for container operations.

Ecoporto’s relocation is a prerequisite for a new passenger terminal, which has also faced resistance from the container sector.

The future of Ecoporto remains uncertain, as its contract with APS expired last year, and the company has continued to operate through three temporary extensions. The latest extension, granted earlier this month, is set to expire in six months.

A public hearing was scheduled to discuss this last Friday but it was eventually canceled. Business interests in the area lobbied authorities in Brasília to halt the process.

Officially, APS President Anderson Pomini stated, “This is such an important topic that the Ministry of Ports and Airports itself decided to schedule a specific hearing.”

The chart below shows the participation share of some of the main terminals at the Port of Santos in terms of container exports in the first four months of 2024. The data was extracted from the DataLiner maritime intelligence service.

Participation of Container Terminals in the Port of Santos | 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Financial Implications

In response to inquiries, Ecoporto, a part of the EcoRodovias Group, declared that moving its terminal to the new area would not hinder the expansion of container operations and “would result in efficiency gains for the Port of Santos.” The company also noted that any contract extension would involve a “robust investment plan” to be discussed and approved by the granting authority.

“We believe that maintaining Ecoporto’s operations is essential for enabling necessary and immediate investments in the Port of Santos, preserving jobs, and continuing tax contributions.”

Ecoporto emphasized its role in handling over 90% of all project cargo at the Santos docks, being the only multipurpose terminal in the region experienced in managing special and oversized cargo.

“Multipurpose terminals focus on moving non-standard cargo, including inputs and equipment for complex projects across various sectors, including industry, energy, and infrastructure.”

The company added that its ability to handle diverse cargo types, such as machinery and industrial components, contributes to the national economy and helps solidify the Port of Santos as a premier logistics hub.

Source: A Tribuna

Click here to read the original news piece in Portuguese: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/ecoporto-defende-renovac-o-de-contrato-em-meio-a-disputa-acirrada-por-trecho-do-porto-de-santos-1.423095

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