Private operators eye openings in Brazil

Legislation passed in 2005 ruled out further development of private terminals, except in the case where the owner provides at least half the cargo handled, rising to 80% in some cases.

Shipping line Maersk is reported to be seeking to establish a dedicated container terminal in South East Brazil as a transshipment hub for its South American operations. The company already operates the Teconvi container terminal at the port of Itajaí, which boosted throughput last year by 10% to 669,037 teu.

Elsewhere, the state governor and Paranagua Port Authority (Appa) have begun construction work on Mercosul Port, located at Pontal do Paraná. The $225m project is being entirely funded by the public sector. Draught alongside the quays is 24 metres, while the access channel has an average of 21 metres of draught. The aim is to establish the port as a hub facility in the region.