by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

The Port of Santos, located 70 kilometres from São Paulo, is a crucial hub for Brazil's foreign trade, handling one-third of the country's international commerce.

The port, which features 58 terminals and 62 berths for various cargo types, is nearing its capacity limits, particularly in container throughput.

To address this, a significant expansion plan has been approved, aiming to increase the port's capacity by almost 50% to 240.6 million tonnes by 2040.

This expansion, part of the "Plano de Desenvolvimento e Zoneamento" (PDZ), includes the development of a mega container terminal, estimated to cost US$1.87 billion.

The new terminal will feature a 1.2-kilometre-long quay with a depth of 17 metres, designed to accommodate at least three vessels of the new Panamax class.

Shipping giants excluded from bidding process

Container shipping giants like Maersk and MSC have shown interest in the expansion project, but Brazilian competition rules have excluded them from the first round of bidding.

Maersk filed a lawsuit against the Brazilian maritime transport authority, Antaq, in June, seeking procedural corrections to ensure a fair process.

However, recent media reports revealed that the lawsuit was dismissed, but Maersk continues to challenge the guidelines that prevent existing operators from participating in the initial bidding phase.

MSC is reportedly also considering legal action if the rules are not amended.

Major wins in container handling for the port

Meanwhile, the Port of Santos achieved a record container handling volume in the first half of 2025, with a 7.8% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

This growth consolidates the port's position as Brazil's main logistics hub.

The port's overall cargo handling remained stable, with a slight decrease of 1% compared to the previous year, making it the second-best half-year result in the port's history.