Maersk Plans R$ 30 Billion Investment in Brazil, Eyes Expansion in Santos

One of the world’s largest container shipping companies, operating over 700 vessels in 135 countries, Maersk plans to invest R$30 billion in Latin America—primarily in Brazil—over the next ten years. The company, which also operates terminals through APM Terminals, intends to allocate the bulk of this investment to the Port of Santos to expand container handling capacity. However, its executives believe unlocking this investment will require expanding leased areas within the Santos port complex.

On Thursday (8), A Tribuna attended a meeting involving Brazilian officials and business leaders at Maersk’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Maersk executives confirmed their intention to participate in the bidding for the mega terminal Tecon Santos 10, which is expected to be auctioned this year at the Saboó quay. The bidding model and potential participation restrictions remain unclear, which is a concern expressed by the company. Maersk currently holds stakes in three terminals in Brazil (BTP in Santos, Pecém in Ceará, and Itapoá in Santa Catarina) and is constructing another in Suape, Pernambuco.

“When we build Tecon Santos 10, we’ll have a modern, high-tech terminal operating as a hub port. This brings competitiveness gains that force all other terminals to improve. That’s how we make money—by delivering logistical efficiency to our clients, the Brazilian productive sector,” explained Felipe Campos, Maersk’s Director of Government Affairs. He warned that delays in investment could cause the Port of Santos to fall behind other global port complexes.

Speaking to A Tribuna, Maersk’s Director of Global Partnerships and Capacity Building, Public and Regulatory Affairs, Concepción Boo Arias, emphasized that APM Terminals operates six of the ten most productive port terminals in the world, according to the World Bank. “We would like to make Tecon Santos 10 number seven, placing it among the most efficient globally. It would be strategic for us, but above all, for Brazilian exporters. It’s an incredible opportunity.”

Partnership Signing

The visit to Maersk was part of an international mission organized by the Parliamentary Fronts for the Santos-Guarujá Dry Link and Ports and Airports in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies. Federal deputy Paulo Alexandre Barbosa (PSDB) leads the mission, which is supported by the Brazilian Infrastructure Institute (IBI). During the visit, Maersk officially signed on as a member of the IBI.

“Infrastructure is at the heart of what we do in Brazil and worldwide. We believe Brazil has enormous potential to play a leading role in the region. Port and logistics infrastructure development is crucial, and we are fully committed to being partners,” said Concepción after the signing.

IBI’s Executive Director, Mário Povia, noted that Maersk operates with vertical integration and offers end-to-end logistics solutions, including coastal shipping (via Aliança). “All of this aligns closely with the Institute’s mission. Having Maersk as a member adds great value and brings a sense of inclusion—getting everyone involved in the discussion is fantastic.”

Deputy Paulo Alexandre Barbosa added that Maersk’s joining the IBI aligns with efforts to attract more investment to Brazil. “Right now, we are discussing Tecon Santos 10 and other matters at the Port of Santos. The participation of companies of this caliber is vital. The broader and more open the bidding process, the better the results.”

On Thursday, the delegation also visited the Maersk Museum at the company headquarters and then proceeded to the Danish Parliament for a meeting with Rasmus Horn, Chair of the Parliament’s Transport Committee.

The meeting focused on the mission’s main objective, which began on Monday and concluded on Thursday: studying the technologies and solutions used in the Fehmarnbelt immersed tunnel project, currently under construction between Germany and Denmark. The tunnel will span 18 kilometers.

The goal is to apply these insights to the Santos-Guarujá tunnel project, which is considered the most emblematic infrastructure work under the Brazilian government’s New PAC program. The future crossing, which will be 1.5 km long (870 meters underwater), is budgeted at R$6 billion and is expected to benefit cargo and passenger transport, as well as cyclists and pedestrians.

The auction is scheduled for August 1.

Source: A Tribuna

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