Private ports may reach the end of the year with an investment portfolio of R$9.5 billion in new terminals. At least 16 Private Use Terminals (TUPs in Portuguese) will be approved by the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) in 2020, according to studies conducted by the Association of Private Port Terminals (ATP). In 2021,14 applications were granted, with an estimated investment of R$ 1.6 billion. The participation share of private terminals has grown since 2013, when the new port regulatory framework came into force. In 2021, private terminals handled 801 million tonnes, which is equivalent to 66% of all cargo handling in the country, according to data from Antaq’s statistical yearbook. TUPs are placed outside the jurisdiction of organized ports and, therefore, have more flexibility than leased terminals in public areas. Several privatizations of public ports accompany the increase in the number of TUPs. For the first time, the government planned to privatize the administration of organized ports in 2022. The Espirito Santo Docks Company (Codesa), which manages the ports of Vitória and Barra do Riacho, will be the first to be auctioned.
Sources: Gazeta do Povo/Datamar News