Megaterminal in Santos: Industry Groups Pressure Federal Government Over STS 10

A manifesto signed by 16 industry associations calls for faster progress on the project, considered strategic for the competitiveness of the Port of Santos and the Brazilian economy.

Sixteen industry associations urge the government to expedite the STS 10 auction, calling it vital for the national economy and warning that delays threaten Brazil’s logistics competitiveness.

The manifesto expresses trust in Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports and the National Waterway Transportation Agency, asking them to publish the auction notice without delay to foster competition in Santos. The signatories reaffirm their support for a transparent and timely auction process and urge resistance to any disruptive interference.

Among the signatories are the Parliamentary Agricultural Front, Brazilian Food Industry Association, Brazilian Association of Soft Drink and Non-Alcoholic Beverage Industries, Brazilian Rural Society, Brazilian Soybean Producers Association, Brazilian Association of Port Terminals, and Brazilian Animal Protein Association.

The group states that STS 10 is essential to expand the operational capacity of the Port of Santos, the main commercial gateway in Latin America, and is currently close to saturation. According to the associations, the expansion will benefit the entire economic chain, from rural producers to end consumers, as well as the industrial and commercial sectors.

Take a look at the container throughput for both inbound and outbound trade at the Port of Santos over the last three years, based on Datamar intelligence:

Container Throughput | Port of Santos | Jan 2023 – Mar 2026

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

The manifesto highlights that every delay in the project increases costs for importers and exporters, reduces competitiveness in international trade, puts pressure on jobs linked to port activities, and may reduce tax revenues. The associations also warn that delays could redirect private investments to other countries.

The group recalls that the STS 10 project, planned for the Saboó waterfront, has been under discussion since 2021 and that the formal process conducted by Antaq and the MPor, launched in February 2025, has already been completed.

However, the Special Secretariat for the Investment Partnerships Program (SEPPI), linked to the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Presidency, is proposing to raise the minimum concession fee from R$500 million to R$1.044 billion, in addition to removing restrictions on the participation of shipping companies and current Port of Santos operators in the auction.

Antaq Director-General Frederico Dias warned that adopting a third bidding model would restart the process, requiring the new bidding notice to undergo a fresh review by Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).

Source:A Tribuna

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