Brazilian port industry suffering investment shortage

Few investors have so far come forward in respect of the new terminal investment opportunities placed onto the market, with the first round of tenders having garnered lower bids than expected.

The fear now is that ports will begin to lose their competitive edge and attract even lower levels of state investment, which they need to boost overseas trade.

To make matters worse, the National Waterways Agency (Antaq) has put back the bidding deadline for six new areas in the state of Pará until early June. Although “technical problems” are blamed, there are also suggestions that the move was prompted by low levels of investor interest.