Modernization of Aratu Port set to boost export capacity

The renovation of port terminals in Salvador is set to enhance the logistics and transportation of agribusiness products originating from Bahia, significantly boosting export capacity. An investment of R$800 million is being funneled into the modernization of the Port of Aratu.

The upgrades are slated for completion by the end of this year, incorporating new technologies into the port’s processes.

The project, spearheaded by CS Portos, is taking place in the port located in All Saints Bay, in Bahia’s capital.

Marcos Tourinho, CEO of CS Porto Aratu, emphasized that the structural advancements will increase storage capacity and enhance infrastructure.

“The infrastructure from the 70s is over 50 years old. We are modernizing all the equipment, including new ship unloaders and loaders, cranes, and part of the conveyor belt connecting the pier to the yard. We are also constructing a new warehouse for storing 80,000 tonnes of fertilizer and have modernized the existing warehouse to hold 100,000 tonnes,” said Tourinho.

Currently, CS Portos operates two terminals, Atu 12 and Atu 18. Atu 12 primarily imports fertilizers, while Atu 18 deals with the export of solid vegetable bulk, such as soybeans and corn.

According to Tourinho, the renovations will enable the port to expand its capacity and open new opportunities for Bahian agribusiness, particularly in grain exports.

“With our improvements, productivity will increase from 300 tonnes per hour to 2,000 tonnes per hour. Our capacity, currently at 2 million tonnes, will rise to 12 million tonnes across the two terminals,” he said.

Tourinho also anticipates a more balanced trade balance. “Currently, 90-95% of activity is imports. Once Atu 18 is operational, there will be a better balance, likely around 55% imports and 45% exports,” he noted.

Bahian Exports

In January, Bahia led agribusiness exports in Northeast Brazil, with exports totaling US$521 million, particularly in the soybean sector.

Besides the Port of Aratu, the Cotegipe Port Terminal, operated by Moinho Dias Branco, also plays a critical role in exporting Bahian agricultural products.

Currently, Bahia produces approximately 12 million tonnes of grain annually, primarily from the western region of the state.

Industry leaders believe that expanding port capacity offers significant advantages for commodity exports, given the state’s coastal suitability for port activities. However, they stress the need for investment in road and rail infrastructure to transport goods to the ports.

Carlos Danilo, head of industrial development at the Federation of Industries of the State of Bahia (Fieb), suggests that public-private partnerships could be a viable solution.

“With more than 40 million tons transported annually across ten to twelve terminals, we see the potential for private sector solutions in partnership with government, both state and federal. Infrastructure is a key vector for development,” he explained.

Source: Canal Rural

Click here to read the original text: https://www.canalrural.com.br/nacional/bahia/modernizacao-do-porto-de-aratu-deve-ampliar-capacidade-exportacao/

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