The Port of Itaqui, in Maranhão, is expected to receive R$147.01 million in investments to expand the handling and storage of fertilizers. The funds are provided for in the leasing project for terminal IQI16, which will have an area of approximately 21.8 thousand square meters redeveloped to receive this type of cargo. The public notice was published by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), and the auction is scheduled for December 9th.
Expanding port capacity is important for a country that relies on imports to supply its agribusiness. Brazil is the third largest consumer of fertilizers in the world, with an annual demand between 40 million and 45 million tons. Approximately 80% of this volume comes from abroad, which requires infrastructure to receive and distribute the products.
For the National Secretary of Ports of the Ministry of Ports and Airports, Alex Ávila, the expansion of infrastructure is necessary to meet Brazilian demand, especially in the North and Northeast regions, where there are growth opportunities in the movement of these inputs. "The main gain for national logistics is to expand this capacity in the Northeast region of the country, where the Port of Itaqui is located. This is where we see the most opportunity for growth in this type of cargo, fertilizers, in the North and Northeast regions," he stated.
Expanded Capacity
The IQI16 terminal will be installed in an existing area of the Port of Itaqui, which will undergo redevelopment. The facility will have a static storage capacity of 70,000 tons and an estimated annual dynamic capacity of 1.008 million tons.
Fertilizers are already part of the operations of the Maranhão port, which has other areas designated for this type of cargo. According to Alex Ávila, the new terminal does not represent a change in existing logistics but will allow for an expansion of service capacity and offer another alternative for companies that import these products through Maranhão. "I see a real gain in bringing more fertilizer through Maranhão, increasing the port's capacity, and making the port more attractive to the market," he highlighted.
The secretary added that the expansion of operations could also bring benefits to the Maranhão economy, with an increase in tax collection, port revenues, and the income of workers involved in the sector's activities.
The Auction
The lease agreement will have an initial term of 25 years, with the possibility of extension. The winning company will be the one that presents the highest grant value, the amount paid for the right to commercially explore the area.
To preserve competition in the fertilizer market of the Itaqui Port Complex, the public notice establishes that economic groups whose participation exceeds 40% after the lease can only win the dispute if no other valid proposal exists.
The public session is scheduled for 2 PM on December 9th. The public notice and other auction documents are available on the Antaq website.
