Rio de Janeiro’s naval and port sector has received R$8.6 million in investments from the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) to resume modernization projects in shipyards and vessel construction. The funds will support maritime and waterway infrastructure works, with the potential to generate more than 12,000 direct jobs in the state, strengthening the local economy.
The investments cover three Rio de Janeiro shipyards: Aliança S.A. in Niterói, with 61 projects; Mauá S.A., also in Niterói, with 38 projects; and São Miguel in São Gonçalo, with 32 projects.
According to the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, the resumption of FMM investments represents economic development and enhances Brazil’s competitiveness in the global maritime industry. “The Merchant Marine Fund ensures conditions for Brazil to advance in modernizing its shipbuilding industry. In Rio de Janeiro, this translates into more jobs, more opportunities, and a stronger, more competitive maritime sector internationally,” he said.
In addition to shipyards, the investment package includes major projects such as the ITG02 Port Terminal, under development at the Port of Itaguaí with a budget of R$3.6 billion for iron ore handling, and the modernization of Oceanpact’s OTSV Ilha do Mosqueiro, a R$21.3 million project that will enhance the sector’s operational efficiency.
Merchant Marine Fund (FMM)
Created to support the shipbuilding and merchant marine industries, the FMM is managed by the Ministry of Ports and Airports through the Merchant Marine Fund Steering Council (CDFMM) and operates via financial agents, including BNDES, Banco do Brasil, Basa, BNB, and Caixa Econômica Federal.
The fund offers favorable credit conditions to finance strategic projects and is considered essential for job creation, fleet modernization, and strengthening Brazil’s competitiveness in the international maritime sector.
Source: Informativo dos Portos
