End of Ecoporto in Santos could disrupt project cargo flows, as STS10 megaterminal advances

The future of Ecoporto, the only multipurpose terminal at the Port of Santos, is closely tied to the development of Tecon Santos 10, situated at the Saboó quay (STS10). The company, which belongs to the EcoRodovias Group, occupies part of the 621,975-square-meter area that will be auctioned, making it the largest container terminal in South America. The entire area lies adjacent to Parque Valongo.

There are no plans to relocate Ecoporto or to establish a replacement terminal for oversized project cargo.

“The draft public notice and contract include an Operational Transfer Plan (PTO) to ensure a smooth and secure transition of operations, with the aim of minimizing impact on users,” stated the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) in a release.

Currently, a transitional contract is in effect between the Santos Port Authority (APS) and Ecoporto, valid until May 31, 2026, with no possibility of extension or until the auction process for the area is completed, whichever comes first.

According to Ecoporto, “all operations are being carried out in accordance with established regulations, ensuring full continuity and safety of the services provided.”

The company reports that it is responsible for more than 90% of the project cargo handled at the Port of Santos. This includes materials with dimensions, shapes, and weights that exceed the limits of conventional container shipping, such as industrial presses, power transformers, and heavy machinery and equipment. Clients include pulp and cement factories.

“Ecoporto has experience in handling breakbulk and unusually sized cargo, including supplies and equipment that enable high-complexity projects in various sectors such as industry, energy, and infrastructure,” it explained. “In addition, the terminal also handles containers, serving smaller shipping lines that are important and present at major ports around the world. Ecoporto has handled more than 500,000 containers per year,” the company added.

In 2024, the terminal moved 1.3 million tonnes of general cargo, according to APS data.

Cargo, compensation, and silence

In an interview with A Tribuna last Sunday, APS President Anderson Pomini stated that one of the requirements for Tecon Santos 10 is that it accommodate not only containers but also general cargo and Ro-Ro vessels, specifically to offset the displacement of Ecoporto.

The lease contract for the future terminal stipulates that it must be multipurpose, with capacity for 3.25 million TEUs per year and 91,000 tonnes of general cargo annually. “The contract also requires a minimum handling threshold (MME) for general cargo during the first eight years of the lease,” the Ministry of Ports and Airports added.

It is also confirmed that, according to the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), compensation for Ecoporto’s past investments will be the responsibility of the future concessionaire.

“As outlined in the approved draft of the public notice and contract, a condition for signing the lease is that the future operator provides proof of a deposit in the amount of R$307.49 million as a financial safeguard to cover future compensation determined by a rebalancing process in favor of Ecoporto,” Antaq stated.

When asked about the future of Ecoporto, including its impact on employees, none of the organizations contacted for comment responded. The company also declined to comment.

Check below a historical overview of long-haul container throughput at the Port of Santos starting from January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data:

Long-Haul Container Throughput at the Port of Santos | Jan 2022 to Jun 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

Subway train shipments

One of Ecoporto’s clients is Chinese automaker BYD, whose Brazilian manufacturing facility is located in Camaçari, Bahia, in the former Ford complex. The company regularly uses the terminal to receive strategic cargo.

“Through the terminal, we receive trains that will make up the fleet for São Paulo Metro Line 17-Gold,” the company noted. Some trains have already arrived in Brazil, and others are still en route — all manufactured at BYD’s headquarters in China.

Line 17-Gold is expected to begin trial operations in March 2026. “The Ecoporto Santos terminal provides logistical agility, minimizes risks, and ensures that critical components arrive in perfect condition to supply production lines and innovative projects, helping support the expansion of electric mobility and clean energy in Brazil,” the company said.

Source: A Tribuna

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