• 3 min de lectura
• 3 min de lectura
The Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) approved priority for BRL 8.3 billion in financing for 26 projects in the Brazilian naval and port sector. The proposals were approved this Thursday (8), during the 64th meeting of the Board of Directors, and are distributed across nine states. The projects have the potential to generate 6,530 direct jobs, according to the information presented in the proposals.
Three port infrastructure projects account for BRL 4.28 billion of the portfolio. The largest amount, BRL 1.9 billion, corresponds to the Mar Azul Terminal, in Babitonga Bay, in São Francisco do Sul (SC), intended for the movement of steel products and fertilizers. The undertaking foresees 1,800 direct jobs.
The approval of priority by the Board of Directors allows the projects to advance to the analysis of financial agents. The contracting and disbursement of financing depend on the fulfillment of the conditions of each operation.
For the Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, the investments integrate the expansion of logistics capacity with the strengthening of national industry. "In addition to strengthening the Brazilian naval industry, these projects connect production to markets and create employment and development opportunities in the regions," he stated.
In addition to the Mar Azul Terminal, the portfolio includes BRL 1.26 billion for the project of the concessionaire of the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá, in Paraná, with the potential to generate 250 direct jobs.
In Espírito Santo, the Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz terminal project totals BRL 1.12 billion for the movement of containers and general cargo. The undertaking foresees 243 direct jobs.
The approved proposals cover Amazonas, Pará, Espírito Santo, Bahia, Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Santa Catarina.
The National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation, Otto Burlier, highlighted the diversity of activities and regions contemplated. "The FMM supports everything from vessels for river transport to tugboats, shipyards, and port infrastructure. This diversity allows meeting the needs of each region and strengthening production chains," he concluded.
The portfolio also includes BRL 383.1 million for the construction of five Ultratug Pulp-Logship vessels by Unes Navegação Brasil. The units will be used for the transport of cellulose and wood in Lagoa dos Patos, in Rio Grande do Sul, to meet the logistics of the production chain in the region.
As of September this year, the FMM had accumulated BRL 115.4 billion in approved projects since 2023, not considering the deliberations of this meeting. The annual volume increased from BRL 13.8 billion in 2023 to BRL 30.9 billion in 2024 and BRL 31.8 billion in 2025. In 2026, approvals reached BRL 38.9 billion until September, about 182% above the total recorded in 2023.
The 65th ordinary meeting of the Merchant Marine Fund's Board of Directors is scheduled for December 10 this year. The deadline for receiving new projects to be considered at this meeting ends on October 12.
