Brazil's Merchant Marine Fund approves R$8.3 billion for 26 shipping and port projects

Brazil's Fundo da Marinha Mercante (FMM) approved priority status for R$ 8.3 billion in financing earmarked for 26 shipping and port sector projects, during the 64th meeting of its Steering Council held on Thursday, October 8. The proposals are spread across nine Brazilian states and have an estimated potential to generate 6,530 direct jobs, according to estimates submitted by the project sponsors.

Three port infrastructure projects account for R$ 4.28 billion, equivalent to 51.6% of the total approved. The largest by value is the Terminal Mar Azul, in Babitonga Bay, São Francisco do Sul (SC), intended for handling steel products and fertilizers, with R$ 1.9 billion and an expected 1,800 direct jobs. It is followed by the project of the concessionaire operating the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá (PR), with R$ 1.26 billion and the potential for 250 jobs, and the Hanseatic Global Terminals terminal in Aracruz (ES), with R$ 1.12 billion for container and general cargo handling, expected to create 243 direct jobs.

The portfolio also includes R$ 383.1 million for the construction of five Ultratug Pulp-Logship type vessels, by the company Unes Navegação Brasil, intended for transporting pulp and timber on Lagoa dos Patos, in Rio Grande do Sul, to serve the logistics needs of the region's production chain.

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, stated that the investments connect production with markets and create employment and regional development opportunities, while also strengthening Brazil's shipbuilding industry. The National Secretary for Waterways and Navigation, Otto Burlier, highlighted the diversity of activities and regions covered, noting that the FMM supports projects ranging from river vessels to tugboats, shipyards and port infrastructure.

The access channel to the Port of Paranaguá was put out to tender in October of last year, and control was transferred to the concessionaire CCGD, formed by port operator FTS and Belgian dredging company Deme, in July, two months ahead of the contractual schedule. The main planned work is the deepening of the channel, to increase the draft from 13.5 meters to 15.5 meters, which would allow larger vessels to call. According to official data, as of September this year the FMM had accumulated R$ 115.4 billion in approved projects since 2023, with the annual amount rising from R$ 13.8 billion in 2023 to R$ 38.9 billion as of September 2026.