The first block of federal port lease auctions in Brazil for 2026 is expected to take place on February 26, 2026, at the B3 stock exchange in São Paulo, marking the opening of the year’s port concession calendar. The auctions will be conducted by the Ministry of Ports and Airports, in coordination with the National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ), and will comprise the leasing of four port terminals located in different regions of the country.
The terminals to be auctioned are situated in Macapá (Amapá), Natal (Rio Grande do Norte), Porto Alegre (Rio Grande do Sul), and Recife (Pernambuco), with estimated investments totaling approximately R$ 229 million. This first auction block reflects the federal government’s strategy to promote geographically balanced infrastructure development while addressing diverse logistical demands.
The facilities included in this auction serve a variety of operational purposes, including the handling of grains, mineral bulk cargo, solid bulk storage, and passenger services. The terminal at the Port of Santana, in Macapá, is expected to receive significant long-term investment aimed at supporting the export of grains and wood chips. In Porto Alegre and Natal, the terminals are designed to support solid bulk storage and mineral bulk transportation, respectively. Meanwhile, the maritime passenger terminal in Recife is expected to strengthen the region’s cruise tourism sector and enhance its integration into international cruise routes.
Government authorities have highlighted that the early release of tender notices and the scheduling of auctions at the beginning of the year underscore the continuity and predictability of the federal port concession agenda. The initiative emphasizes the expansion of operational capacity, the decentralization of port infrastructure development, and the enhancement of legal and regulatory certainty for private investors. In parallel, preparations for subsequent auction rounds—covering additional port areas and container terminals—are already underway, signaling a broader strategy to attract private capital and modernize Brazil’s port logistics network.
Photo: Canva
