Brazil Launches Major Investments in Naval and Port Infrastructure

The Brazilian Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, is set to announce significant logistical ventures on Thursday, November 21, in Belém. These projects, involving investments exceeding R$ 4 billion, aim to enhance Brazil’s national naval construction and product shipment capabilities across the country. The minister will detail the development of hydro and port infrastructure aimed at connecting Brazil with other South American nations.

Among the planned initiatives is the construction of 400 barges and 15 pusher vessels dedicated to the hydro transportation of iron ore and manganese along the Paraná and Paraguay Rivers. This undertaking is projected to create over 10,000 jobs and improve the transportation of minerals extracted in Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul. These minerals are to be transported by barge through more than 2,500 kilometers of the Paraguay River to the maritime terminal in Nueva Palmira, Uruguay. The vessels will be built by LHG Logística over the next four years in six national shipyards located in the North, Northeast, South, and Southeast regions. Financing will be provided by the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM).

Additional contracts will be signed for investments in the Santarém and Vila do Conde ports in Pará. These improvements aim to modernize the terminals and enhance operational safety. The announcement will take place at 10 a.m. at the Rio Maguari shipyard in Icoaraci, Belém.

Minister Silvio Costa Filho highlighted the significance of the project, stating, “this is a historic milestone for the country, marking the largest program for inland navigation in Brazil’s history. This demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to a development agenda that includes clean and essential hydro infrastructure for moving Brazilian production.”

The funding for this extensive project consists of approximately R$ 3.7 billion allocated by LHG Logística Ltda, financed through the Merchant Marine Fund with assistance from the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES). This investment is expected to boost raw material transport such as steel and manganese, fostering Brazilian economic growth and job creation.

The new fleet is expected to increase mineral flow by 6 million tons annually. The enhancements in naval infrastructure will not only expand product movement on the nation’s waterways but also strengthen the Brazilian naval industry. Speaking at the event, Minister Costa Filho assured that this project aligns with the global push towards sustainable production, reducing carbon emissions significantly.

Accompanying the port announcements, improvements are underway at Belém’s airport. Silvio Costa Filho inspected the ongoing expansion, which includes baggage and cargo processing enhancements, runway extension, and terminal modernization, with nearly R$ 500 million in investments reported.