Private investment of R$ 948 million will expand Rio’s container terminal, increasing capacity by 70,5% and strengthening logistics.
Major private investment and capacity jump
Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, announced a R$ 948 million private investment in the Rio Brasil Terminal. The facility is operated by ICTSI at the Port of Rio de Janeiro.
The project will run between 2025 and 2029, increasing operational capacity by 70.5%. As a result, the terminal will grow from 440,000 TEU/year to 750,000 TEU/year, positioning Rio as a strategic logistics hub for the Southeast and Center-West regions.
During the announcement, the minister said the expansion is crucial for port growth and foreign trade. He added that, in the future, the terminal could reach 1.2 million TEU/year.
“It is an investment of almost R$ 1 billion that will be fundamental for expanding operations here at the port, going from 440,000 to 750,000 TEU and, in the future, perhaps reaching 1.2 million,” he said.
Costa Filho also emphasized the impact on jobs and income. In his view, projects of this scale help drive opportunities across the entire logistics chain.
“I always say: Brazil’s greatest social program is jobs and income,” he added, highlighting the employment potential linked to the expansion.
Port growth and national strategy
The minister pointed out the strong performance of the Port of Rio de Janeiro in 2025. By November 30, cargo throughput had grown 14% compared to the previous year.
According to Costa Filho, the investment policy is part of a broader strategy to increase the competitiveness of Brazil’s port system. Moreover, cooperation between the federal government, states and municipalities strengthens the business environment.
He defended greater legal certainty as a condition to attract additional private capital. In this way, the ministry wants to cut red tape and provide more predictability for investors in the sector.
Infrastructure works, automation and new equipment
The investment plan combines infrastructure works, automation and technology. Among the initiatives is the unification and expansion of storage yards, increasing space for containers.
The project will also rearrange buildings to optimize internal flows and reduce bottlenecks. In addition, it will modernize utility systems and the terminal’s electrical infrastructure.
The expansion includes the acquisition of new container-handling equipment, focused on boosting efficiency and safety. At the same time, ICTSI will implement advanced access control, monitoring and cargo management systems.
These technological upgrades will ensure compliance with recent regulations, especially Brazilian Federal Revenue requirements. Therefore, the terminal aims to improve standards of traceability and regulatory adherence.
The package also provides environmental sustainability measures, aligned with ICTSI’s global commitments to responsible operations and decarbonization. The goal is to couple growth with lower environmental impact.
More predictable and attractive business climate
For the minister, projects like the Rio Brasil Terminal expansion enhance competitiveness and predictability in the port sector. He stressed the importance of working jointly with regulators and oversight bodies.
“What we want is to give security to enterprises, cut bureaucracy and improve the business environment, alongside regulatory agencies and oversight institutions,” he stated.
According to the ministry, Brazil’s port agenda is currently in a strong growth cycle. The country is recording the highest volume of port concessions in its history, which is seen as essential to unlocking development.
New growth phase for Rio Brasil Terminal
Roberto Lopes, CEO of Rio Brasil Terminal, recalled that the concessionaire is marking six years managing the facility. He highlighted the company’s strategy of continuous improvement.
“Today we complete six years as part of the ICTSI group. Since then, we have been able to invest heavily in the Port of Rio, always focused on offering the best possible service, with this passion for serving and the pursuit of being 1% better every day,” he said.
Lopes noted that the expansion adds to existing investments in logistics corridors. These include the Rio–Minas and Rio–Suzano routes, with an emphasis on rail transport.
According to him, the enlarged capacity will help ease congestion currently seen at other ports. Thus, Rio Brasil Terminal will contribute to a more balanced distribution of port demand across the country.
He also described the project as an “internal and external revolution” for the terminal. In this sense, the goal is to expand support to Brazil’s foreign trade and reinforce Rio’s role as a logistics hub.
Larger ships, higher efficiency
Once expanded, the terminal will be able to handle large vessels more efficiently along the full berth length. This includes New Panamax and Post-Panamax ships up to 366 meters long and with capacity above 13,000 TEU.
The schedule foresees the arrival of the first new cranes from mid-2026. These units will be ready to serve even larger vessels, in line with the global trend of bigger ships on South America’s east coast.
Commenting on the current scenario, Costa Filho said Brazil’s ports are experiencing a robust investment cycle. Therefore, expanding infrastructure is viewed as key to placing the country on new trade routes.
Lopes added that the project is vital for maintaining the Port of Rio’s competitiveness as demand grows. He stressed that the terminal must be prepared to capture part of the cargo now concentrated in other complexes.
“This investment is essential for Rio to increase its efficiency and maintain its competitiveness and ability to absorb part of the demand that is currently concentrated in other ports. It is a project that benefits not only the terminal, but the entire economy of Brazil’s Southeast and Center-West regions,” he said.
More resilience for the logistics chain
With the full implementation of the investment plan, the terminal is expected to operate at around 75% utilization between 2029 and 2030. This should provide operational headroom and reduce saturation risks.
The additional capacity is projected to deliver smoother operations, controlled waiting times and lower costs. Moreover, the reinforced infrastructure should raise resilience against bottlenecks at other ports.
Forecasts indicate that, without the planned upgrades, the terminal could reach saturation between 2027 and 2028. Consequently, the expansion acts as a preventive measure for future logistical constraints.
ICTSI’s global footprint and long-term vision
ICTSI is regarded as the world’s largest independent port operator. The group manages 33 terminals in 19 countries across different regions.
Anders Kjeldsen, ICTSI’s Vice President for the Americas, reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to Brazil. He stressed the objective of bringing international benchmarks to the domestic market.
“In Brazil, we are focused on bringing the highest international standards of operational efficiency and technological development to our operations. This project demonstrates our long-term commitment to improving Brazil’s logistics competitiveness,” he concluded.
