The Federal Government announced on Thursday (12) the amount of R$ 1.23 billion for the concession contract of waterway access to Paranaguá Port (PR), over 25 years. The investments are earmarked for dredging, maintenance and management of the waterway infrastructure that connects the port to the open sea. The contract signing ceremony took place at Palácio do Planalto and was attended by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, among other authorities.
For Minister Silvio Costa Filho, today is a historic day for Brazil's port sector. "This is Brazil's first access channel concession, a fundamental action for the development of the Brazilian port sector, which will enable Paranaguá Port to have strategic planning, guaranteeing predictability and security for the productive sector. With this concession for the next 25 years, we will also have maintenance dredging carried out year after year," he said.
"This is Brazil's first access channel concession, a fundamental action for the development of the Brazilian port sector" Silvio Costa Filho
The minister also spoke about the increase in draft, which will make it possible to receive larger ships and, consequently, more cargo. "Paranaguá Port has a strategic characteristic in vegetable bulk operations. It is also strategic for agribusiness, as it handles the largest volume of fertilizers in the country. With this draft increase, operational capacity and logistics will be expanded at the Port, which is a reference today in Brazil," he added.
Paranaguá Port (PR)
Inaugurating a new management model for port access channels, initiated in 2023, the signing of the concession contract for the access channel to Paranaguá Port (PR) marks significant progress for Brazilian port logistics.
With the initiative, the channel will have its draft expanded to 15.5 meters, allowing the operation of larger vessels and increasing the operational capacity of the port complex. The measure tends to reduce logistics costs and strengthen the flow of agricultural production from the South and Center-West regions of the country.
Paranaguá Port (PR) is one of the country's main logistics corridors, with strong performance in the flow of grains and other agricultural commodities, connecting national production to international markets.
Concession Contract Signing
Concession Contract Signing
The port complex is also undergoing other structural interventions, such as the Moegão project, a new rail discharge system for the export corridor, whose works have already exceeded 95% completion, being the largest public port project underway in Brazil. With over R$ 500 million invested via the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), the project will increase Paranaguá Port's rail capacity by 60%, from the current 550 to 900 wagons per day.
In his remarks, Costa Filho also commented on the completion of the Moegão works. "This will expand port cargo handling operations by 60%, which is essential to strengthen its logistics," he concluded.
The enterprise should enhance the port's logistics efficiency, increasing grain reception capacity and strengthening the integration between rail and port terminal.
Source: https://www.gov.br/portos-e-aeroportos/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/2026/03/concessao-do-canal-de-acesso-ao-porto-de-paranagua-pr-tera-investimento-de-r-1-23-bilhao
