The President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, announced an investment package totaling R$611.7 million (USD 111.5 million) to boost the shipbuilding industry and port infrastructure of Bahia.
With funds authorized by the portfolio, through the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM), R$550.5 million will be allocated to the construction of 80 new ships. The measures also include ongoing works and new structural projects in the public ports of Salvador, Aratu-Candeias, and Ilhéus, with a total of R$61.2 million in federal investments.
The Enseada Shipyard, which was inactive for almost a decade, has resumed its operations with the support of the Merchant Marine Fund. Lula emphasized that the reopening symbolizes a new era for the shipbuilding industry and the return to job creation.
“I am here to revitalize the Brazilian shipbuilding industry. This is the second time I have returned to the Presidency of the Republic to say that we need to revitalize this industry. This means returning jobs, opportunities, and hope to the workers,” commented the President.
Minister Silvio Costa Filho reiterated that the initiatives align with a national agenda of modernization and job creation and stated that “the reactivation of the shipbuilding industry is essential to generate employment, strengthen our logistics, and expand Brazil’s presence in maritime trade. What we are doing in Bahia demonstrates that the state is once again a key player in shipbuilding and regional development.”
Ricardo Ricardi, general director of the Enseada Shipyard, emphasized that the resumption of operations was only possible thanks to investments from the FMM. According to him, “the Ministry of Ports and Airports, through the Merchant Marine Fund, provides essential resources for both the construction and revitalization of shipyards and the construction of new ships. These investments guarantee the viability of projects and the continuity of works.”
In addition to the new contributions, MPor is already executing three structural works in Bahian ports with the recovery and structural reinforcement of the commercial pier of the Port of Salvador (R$ 117.7 million with 55% progress), renewal of the paving of its back area (R$ 17.9 million with 85% physical progress), and deepening dredging of the Port of Ilhéus (R$ 106 million, in the preparation phase).
The ministry is also advancing in its partnership and concessions agenda, highlighting the auction of the Codeba Channel and Free Areas, which covers the organized ports of Salvador, Aratu-Candeias, and Ilhéus and foresees a private investment of R$1.7 billion. Two other terminals, in Salvador (SSD04) and Ilhéus (ILH01), are also in the bidding process and are expected to be auctioned in the coming months.
