Port of Itaqui extends lease for copper terminal by 20 years

The Port of Itaqui secured another significant step in strengthening its role as one of Brazil’s strategic logistics hubs. EMAP, the Maranhao state port authority, Vale S.A. and Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports signed on Wednesday (March 18) in Brasilia an agreement extending the lease of the Copper Terminal at the Port of Itaqui for another 20 years.

Attending the signing ceremony were Port of Itaqui President Oquerlina Costa, Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho, National Ports Secretary Alex Avila and Vale Executive Vice President Sam Arap Sobrinho. Other port officials and Vale representatives were also present.

Located on an area of about 53,000 square meters, the terminal is responsible for storing and shipping copper concentrate extracted in Para state, especially from the Salobo and Sossego mines in the Carajas region.

With around 15 years of continuous operations, the business has become one of the most relevant activities in the Maranhao port complex. Over that period, the infrastructure has posted strong growth: throughput, which has historically averaged 800,000 tonnes per year, more than doubled at peak capacity, rising from 420,000 tonnes in 2010 to a projected 1 million tonnes in 2025.

Beyond the sizeable volumes handled, the terminal stands out for its high operating efficiency and strategic berth use, factors that directly contribute to the port’s productivity and to more efficient mineral bulk shipments. The regularity and predictability of the operation are key attributes in maintaining Itaqui’s competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

During the event, Silvio Costa Filho said Brazil’s current economic environment has helped expand investor confidence and encourage new infrastructure projects. “Brazil is experiencing a period of economic growth, underpinned by legal certainty and strong development potential. That creates an environment of market confidence and predictability, which is essential for attracting new investments, such as those Vale will make in Maranhao,” he said.

For EMAP President Oquerlina Costa, the renewal reinforces the port’s role as an essential logistics platform for Brazil’s sustainable development. “The extension of this contract shows Vale’s confidence in the Port of Itaqui’s efficiency, safety and operating capacity. We are prepared to keep pace with growing global demand for copper, a strategic mineral for the energy transition, further strengthening Maranhao’s position in international trade,” she said.

Copper is regarded as one of the key metals of the new low-carbon economy, with broad applications in technologies such as renewable energy, electric mobility and smart grids. In this context, the Port of Itaqui serves as a key link in this global chain, offering modern infrastructure, a strategic location and operations aligned with sustainability practices.

The new agreement extends Vale’s lease of the EMAP area through 2046, formalizing the company’s continued presence at the site and ensuring the continuity of this export route through Maranhao.

Source: Portal Portuario

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