With investments of R$1 billion, the auction for the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá (Paraná) will take place on October 22 at the headquarters of B3 (the São Paulo Stock Exchange), as announced on Friday (August 22) by the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho. On the same day, three port terminals will also be auctioned at B3: one in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), one in Porto Alegre (RS), and one in Maceió (AL).
“This will be the first auction of a public port access channel in Brazil. It will expand operational capacity and boost port activity,” stated the minister, noting that Paranaguá is the second-largest port in Brazil and Latin America, after the Port of Santos.
The bidding process has already been approved by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) and was forwarded to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) in early June. The guidelines established for the Paranaguá auction will serve as a model for other access channel auctions set to take place later this year, including those for the Ports of Santos (SP), Itajaí (SC), Bahia, and Rio Grande (RS). The process for the Port of Itajaí is currently under review by the TCU.
“This predictability is essential for the productive sector, and managing channel depth properly puts Paranaguá on a different level in terms of international trade,” said the National Ports Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), Alex Ávila.
Currently, the port handles approximately 2,600 ships per year, primarily transporting solid bulk cargoes, including soybeans and animal protein. The concession will further enhance port operations, enabling an increase in the number of vessels serviced. With the auction, the draft of the channel will be increased from 13.5 meters to 15.5 meters, enabling the port to accommodate larger ships and expand cargo throughput.
Below is a historical overview of deep-sea container throughput (excluding cabotage, transshipment, and other container movements) at the Port of Paranaguá from January 2022. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:
Deep-sea container throughput at the Port of Paranaguá | Jan 2022 to Jun 2025 | TEU
Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)
The secretary explained that each additional centimeter in channel depth allows for 60 more tonnes of cargo to be loaded into a ship’s hold.
The concession is also expected to stimulate regional development, as the increase in cargo movement will have positive effects on the economies of neighboring municipalities and contribute to job and income generation throughout the surrounding area and the state.
Port Terminals
Also on October 22, three additional port terminals will be auctioned at B3: RDJ07, at the Port of Rio de Janeiro (RJ); POA26, at the Port of Porto Alegre (RS); and TMP Maceió, at the Port of Maceió (AL).
RDJ07, located at the Port of Rio of Janeiro, will receive R$99.4 million in investments for specialized infrastructure in offshore oil cargo handling. The concession is valid for a period of 25 years.
At POA26, located within the Organized Port of Porto Alegre (RS), R$21.1 million is expected to be invested in an area designated for handling and storage of solid bulk. The lease is for a term of 10 years.
TMP Maceió, in turn, will serve passengers embarking and disembarking at the Port of Maceió, improving comfort and safety for tourists. The plan includes the construction of an adjacent parking lot. The investment will total R$3.7 million, with a 25-year concession period.
Source: Ministério dos Portos e Aeroportos
