By
Alex Smith |
Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) is planning to invest approximately R$1 billion ($200 million) in passenger terminals across the country in an effort to expand its cruise tourism sector.
Two existing passenger terminals in Northeast Brazil, Maceió and Recife, will receive improvements as part of concession contracts, while a new cruise terminal will be constructed at the Port of Santos as part of a larger development.
“The cruise sector is strategic for the development of national tourism and has a direct connection to the port sector,” said Silvio Costa Filho, Brazil’s minister of ports and airports. “To this end, we are preparing passenger terminal auctions to improve port infrastructure and encourage maritime tourism in Brazil.”
Private operators are being encouraged to bid on a 25-year concession contract for the passenger terminal in Maceió on 22 October at the B3 stock exchange in São Paulo, Brazil. The concession will involve an investment of R$3.7 million ($697,000) in to the terminal, while the construction of a car park adjacent to the terminal is also planned. The improvements will allow the port to accommodate 220-metre cruise ships, or up to 300 metres with manoeuvres outside the turning basin and the use of specialist equipment.
“This terminal is designed for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers transiting through the Port of Maceió, contributing to the comfort and safety of tourists," said Alex Ávila, national secretary of ports for Brazil.
The auction of the Maritime Passenger Terminal at the Port of Recife is also scheduled to take place, with the date to be confirmed after approval by Brazil’s Federal Court of Auditors. According to MPor, the updated terminals in Recife and Maceió will form part of an integrated northeastern cruise circuit, along with those in Fortaleza and Salvador.
The work in Santos, meanwhile, will take place as part of the existing Tecon Santos 10 container terminal project, which will be auctioned in December 2025. The winner of the auction will be expected to invest over R$800 million ($151 million) to expand and modernise the port’s passenger terminal, which will be built in Valongo Park. The new infrastructure will connect passengers with Santos’ historic city centre.
In addition to its port investment strategy, MPor is also launching a facial recognition tool to facilitate security procedures for cruise passengers visiting Brazil. Part of the Paperless Port programme, the digital platform will use biometrics to facilitate advance check-in, and will be available to cruise lines from October 2025.