Rio port terminal reaches commercial close

Brazil's Presidential Secretariat of Ports Helder Barbalho and Governor Luiz Fernando Pezao has reached commercial close on the BRL$610 million (€139.9 million; $153.6 million) Sao Joao da Barra port terminal project at the Port do Acu in northern Rio de Janeiro.

The 575,000-square-metre port complex will be developed through a concession agreement by Brazil Port Logistics Offshore to support the oil and gas industry in the Campos Basin, according to a statement by Agencia Brasil. The new private terminal is expected to move and store roughly 609,000 tons of general cargo, 27,000 tons of solid bulk and 243,000 cubic metres of liquid bulk cargo per year. It is also set to include a vessel maintenance and repair area. 

In a statement, Pezao noted that the region surrounding the port has strong need for investment, as it is one of the poorest in the state.

“For us, considering the difficult employment situation, it is extraordinary to receive news like this,” Pezao said. “Few world ports experience the same level of activity as the Acu port.” 

As part of the newly launched National Port Logistics Plan, the Rio state is expected to receive BRL$7.8 billion, or 15 percent of total port investments across the country through 2042. It is hoped that the state will be able to leverage that financial strength to support the creation of BRL$51 billion worth of additional assets during that same period.