The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, presented, this Tuesday (24), in Brasília, the project portfolio of the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM), with a forecast of R$ 41.7 billion in investments. In total, there are 890 works and more than 180 thousand direct jobs across the country.
The portfolio includes projects from the shipbuilding industry and port infrastructure. There are 612 ship construction projects, 115 repair and docking services, 141 modernization projects, plus the establishment of 6 shipyards, 13 port projects and 3 transshipment terminals. The initiatives involve 62 beneficiary companies and 32 shipyards.
"The numbers demonstrate the strength of this public policy. We went from R$ 22.8 billion in approved projects to over R$ 87 billion in the current cycle, plus significant growth in contracting. This translates into more jobs, more competitiveness and strengthening of the Brazilian shipbuilding industry," said Minister Silvio Costa Filho.
The resumption of investments in the sector is already showing direct impacts on employment. After reaching a level of around 12 thousand workers in years of lower activity, the Brazilian shipbuilding industry has resumed growth and now totals more than 55 thousand direct jobs in the country. This represents an increase of 358% between the period of low employment in the sector, in the past, and the current situation.
Main investments and projects
Investments are distributed across all regions of the country, with funds to be applied: R$ 14.1 billion in the South, R$ 11.9 billion in the Northeast, R$ 10.4 billion in the Southeast and R$ 5.3 billion in the North.
Among the main projects, the following stand out: Bram Offshore's project in Santa Catarina, in the South region, worth R$ 2.6 billion; Wilson Sons' project in the Southeast, valued at R$ 1.1 billion; DOF Subsea's project in Bahia, in the Northeast, with an investment of R$ 2.8 billion and a forecast of 1,460 jobs; and the Amapá Logistics Platform project in the North region, valued at R$ 1.5 billion.
The Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Airports and President of the Merchant Marine Fund's Steering Board (CDFMM), Tomé Franca, highlighted that the numbers reflect the resumption of investments in the sector. "We have a sector with great potential to contribute to Brazilian logistics. The contracting volume of the Merchant Marine Fund increases the country's efficiency and competitiveness, in addition to generating jobs and income for the population," he noted.
The Fund's recent growth reinforces this scenario. Approved investments rose from R$ 22.8 billion between 2019 and 2022 to R$ 87.7 billion in the current cycle (2023–2026). The contracted portfolio jumped from R$ 1.6 billion to R$ 14.2 billion, cementing 2025 as the year of highest financial execution.
For the National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation, Otto Luiz Burlier, the portfolio also helps strengthen inland waterway transport and expand access to regions where rivers are essential for mobility and supply. "This advancement also directly impacts the waterways, with more investments in vessels and infrastructure that ensure greater navigation safety and regularity in transport. In many regions, especially in the North, rivers are the true roads for the population," he concluded.
Waterway Coffee
As part of the agenda, the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), through the National Secretariat of Waterways and Navigation (SNHN), also held the Waterway Coffee, in partnership with the Agency for Sustainable Development of Waterways and Export Corridors (Adecon). The meeting brought together representatives from the public and private sectors to discuss the role of inland waterway transport in the country's logistics development.
During the event, challenges and opportunities were debated for expanding the use of rivers as a more efficient and sustainable transport alternative, focusing on infrastructure improvement, fleet renewal and enhancement of passenger transport, especially in regions where waterways are essential for population mobility.
Participants in the meeting included the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho; Executive Secretary and President of the Steering Board of the Merchant Marine Fund (CDFMM), Tomé Franca; Deputy Executive Secretary, Thairyne Oliveira; National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation, Otto Luiz Burlier; and representatives from the naval, water transport and waterway sectors.
"We went from R$ 22.8 billion in approved projects to over R$ 87 billion in the current cycle, plus significant growth in contracting"
Silvio Costa Filho
