How Brazil’s New Mega-Port Will Reshape Latin American Shipping

Brazil Breaks Ground on Latin America’s Largest Container Terminal

Brazil’s Porto Central—the largest port complex under construction on South America’s East Coast—has signed an MoU with global consultancy Praxys Group to develop one of Latin America’s biggest container terminals. The project will fill critical deep-water port infrastructure gaps and elevate Brazil’s role in global shipping networks.

Strategic Location & Unprecedented Scale

Located in Presidente Kennedy, Espírito Santo (200 nautical miles from Rio de Janeiro), the port will be developed in two phases:

• Phase 1 (2030): 18m-deep channel, 1,370m berth, handling 2.5 million TEUs/year

• Phase 2: Expansion to 20m depth—South America’s first such berths—capable of docking 21,000–24,000 TEU megaships (key for Asia-South America/Europe trade lanes).
  Upon full completion, capacity will reach 6 million TEUs, supported by new rail links to inland hubs like Minas Gerais (notably Belo Horizonte).

  
  

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Economic & Logistics Impact

• 30% reduction in regional logistics costs through economies of scale

• 15–20% boost to Brazil’s port competitiveness index

• 5–7 days faster shipping times to Asian ports by attracting direct routes

• 12,000+ direct jobs created in Espírito Santo

Expert Leadership & Global Ambitions

Praxys Group appointed Jesper Kjaedegaard (ex-Maersk executive, 40+ years in shipping) as lead advisor. He emphasized:

"This port will redefine South America’s shipping map, saving Brazilian exporters 18–22% in logistics costs while establishing a new供应链 pivot for Argentina and Uruguay."

The project aligns with Brazil’s National Logistics Plan (PNL 2035), receiving federal funding for ancillary infrastructure.