Discover the Future of Brazilian Ports
Welcome to the future of maritime logistics in Brazil. We are excited to announce the release of a comprehensive white paper titled Contributions to Planning the Consolidation of Hub Ports in Brazil.
This pivotal study, developed by A&M Infra, Navarro Prado Advogados, and APM Terminals, explores the transformative potential of hub ports in Brazil and their impact on the national and regional economy.
The analysis highlights how intense competition in the container shipping industry drives shipowners to differentiate themselves – primarily through economies of scale, by using larger ships. To maintain high occupancy and efficiency, these mega-ships limit their stops to key hub ports, which then distribute cargo to smaller ports via smaller ships in a hub-and-spoke system. This global trend optimizes logistics, but Brazil lags behind due to structural issues in its ports.
Key Insights and Findings
Estimated cost savings
Successful deployment of hub ports in Brazil could result in lower shipping costs and increased schedule reliability of liner services.
A simplified simulation suggests that cost per TEU transported between the East Coast of South America and Asia could be up to 13% lower with a hub-and-spoke service using 366-meter vessels.
Potential hub ports in Brazil
According to Marcos Pinto, managing partner at A&M Infra consultancy, the Port of Santos (SP) is a natural candidate and the leading favourite to become a Brazilian hub. “Besides being the largest port in Latin America, accounting for about 40% of the national container movement, it is the only one that receives virtually all long-haul (international) lines passing through the East Coast of Latin America,” says the executive.
In addition to the Port of Santos (SP) – favoured for its proximity to the country’s largest production/consumption centre and diversity of long-haul services – other ports that could also become hubs in Brazil include: Paranaguá (SC), Itapoá (SC), the Itajaí-Navegantes complex (SC), Suape (PE), and Pecém (CE). These ports are considered due to factors such as the positioning of vertically integrated players, the possibility of significant capacity expansions, and the ease of adapting waterway access. These attributes could also lead to arrangements that favour other ports in the planning of importers/exporters, shipowners, and/or specific services.
Container delivery models
Two basic models exist for serving the demand for container transportation in a given region.
The first (and most obvious) involves point-to-point connection, where regular trips call at all ports in the region and each container travels a single maritime trip from the port of origin to the port of destination.
In the hub-and-spoke model, on the other hand, the deep-sea trip calls at a single port (hub) where all containers originating from/destined to the region are loaded/unloaded.
Regional and local hub
In addition to one or more regional hubs, other ports may serve as 'local hubs', attracting Deep-Sea calls due to their location relative to specific service routes and concentrating transshipment volumes from nearby ports.
Conclusion
The consolidation of hub ports in Brazil represents a significant opportunity to enhance the country's maritime logistics and economic landscape. This white paper provides a detailed roadmap for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and investors to navigate the complexities of this transformation. By embracing these strategic recommendations, Brazil can position itself as a leading hub in the global maritime industry.
Download the full white paper to explore the detailed analysis, insights, and recommendations that will shape the future of Brazilian ports. Join us in this journey towards a more efficient, sustainable, and competitive maritime logistics system.
About the authors
Alvarez & Marsal
Companies, investors, and government entities worldwide turn to Alvarez & Marsal (A&M) for leadership, action, and results. Founded in 1983, A&M is recognised for providing consultancy, business performance improvement, and recovery management services. Established seven years ago, its infrastructure unit, A&M Infra, is a reference in Brazil and has already expanded its expertise to 10 other countries, assisting clients in capital-intensive and long-maturity projects through exclusive methodologies and specialised leaders in all infrastructure sectors.
When conventional approaches are not enough to create transformation and drive change, clients seek our deep experience and ability to provide practical solutions to their problems.
With more than 10,000 employees and service providers working on six continents, we deliver tangible results for companies, boards, private equity firms, law firms, and government agencies facing complex challenges. Our senior leaders and their teams leverage A&M’s restructuring heritage to help companies act decisively, leverage growth, and accelerate results. To learn more, visit: alvarezandmarsal.com
Navarro Prado Advogados
Navarro Prado, Nefussi Mandel e Santos Silva Advogados is a law firm specialising in infrastructure projects, with a multidisciplinary approach, updated and involved in relevant sector discussions in Brazil. It develops comprehensive solutions for projects and supports conflict resolution, connecting multiple public and private agents to transform and improve people’s quality of life through professionals with diverse experiences and complementary profiles. To learn more, visit: www.navarroprado.com.br