Paranaguá next in line

Antaq, Brazil’s national waterways transport agency, has given Hidrovias do Brasil permission to build its first ever port terminal. This will be at Barcarena, in the state of Pará, and be part of a US$581M investment that the company is making in the logistics network in the region, which includes two port terminals and a fleet of barges.

Brazil’s Antaq (National Agency for Waterway Transport) appears to have given a favourable response to a petition filed by Richard Klien, owner of the Multi Group, in his longstanding ownership dispute with Opportunity, his partner in Santos Brasil.

Antaq, Brazil’s national waterways transport agency, has declared that the concession agreement between Bunge Alimentos and Paranaguá and Antonina Port Authority (APPA) has now officially ended. However, it has approved a new 180-day contract, which will stay in effect until a new tender can be issued.

Brazil’s National Transport Waterways Agency (Antaq) has directed Santos Port Authority (Codesp) to suspend all work on Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP), a joint venture of terminal Investment Ltd (closely linked to MSC) and APM Terminals, whilst at the same time applying a US$200,000 fine. Codesp is accused of failing to follow Antaq directives, which it denies.

Brazil’s national waterway regulator, Antaq, will launch a US$223M tender this year to build and operate a new container port in Amazonas state capital Manaus, Brazil’s Ports Department said.

For Brazil to have a suitable transport structure, investment in the segment needs to be increased to around R$30B (US$18.8B) per year, according to the Executive Secretary of the Brazilian Ministry of Transport, Paulo Sérgio Oliveira Passos, speaking recently in São Paulo. Last year, said Passos, investment in the segment came to some R$20B, of which R$16B came from the government.