BNDES approves R$ 331 million to modernize the Rio Grande port terminal.

The Brazilian National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) has approved R$ 331 million in financing for Tecon Rio Grande S/A, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wilson Sons, for the modernization of the port terminal in Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul. The project involves investments in dock automation, equipment upgrades, and dredging works, focusing on increasing operational efficiency and preparing the terminal to receive larger vessels.

The resources come from the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) and include the acquisition of new Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, Rubber-Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes, electric tractors, trailers (SRs), charging stations for the electric equipment, small forklifts, and two scanners for cargo inspection.

Investments to increase efficiency and competitiveness.

The funding aims to strengthen the role of the port of Rio Grande as a strategic logistics hub in the Southern Cone, connecting Brazil to the markets of Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. The terminal's recent performance reinforces this position. In December 2024, total container traffic grew by 45% compared to the same period in 2023, while transshipment volume increased by 233%.

According to the president of BNDES, Aloizio Mercadante, the financial support has a direct impact on the costs and reliability of operations. “With BNDES support, the terminal will improve operational efficiency and reliability, reducing ship turnaround time and, consequently, costs associated with delays. In this way, we will contribute to consolidating Tecon Rio Grande as an international trade hub for the Southern Cone, attracting investments for the economic development of the Southern region of Brazil, boosting exports, generating jobs, and increasing state revenue,” he stated.

Strategic infrastructure in the south of the country

Tecon Rio Grande is the only dedicated container terminal in Rio Grande do Sul. Its infrastructure includes 735 square meters of total area, 900 meters of linear quay with three berths and a draft of 15 meters, in addition to 2.800 outlets for refrigerated containers. Its annual handling capacity reaches 1,42 million TEUs, supported by an equipment park composed of nine STS quay cranes and 22 RTG yard cranes.

Among the main services provided are the loading and unloading of goods on long-haul and coastal vessels, bonded warehousing for import and export, consolidation and deconsolidation of containers for inspections by public agencies, and the supply of energy with temperature monitoring for refrigerated cargo.

Blue economy and energy transition

The financing for the Rio Grande do Sul terminal is part of a broader strategy by the Bank aimed at developing the maritime economy. In January 2024, BNDES launched the BNDES Azul initiative, focusing on investments in research, Maritime Spatial Planning, decarbonization of the naval fleet, and modernization of port infrastructure. Activities such as fishing, tourism, maritime and river transport, oil exploration, bioenergy, and environmental preservation are part of this scope.

Within this agenda, BNDES launched a public selection process this month for an implementing partner for the study "Opportunities of Decarbonization and Energy Transition for the Restructuring of the Shipbuilding Industry," with a budget of up to R$ 8 million from the Project Structuring Fund (BNDES FEP). The study aims to analyze the Brazilian shipbuilding industry and propose a recovery strategy, considering the adoption of low or zero greenhouse gas emission fuels.

“This study is part of the BNDES Azul initiative, aimed at boosting the recovery and strengthening of the Brazilian shipbuilding industry, with a strategic focus on decarbonizing the fleet and generating jobs,” stated Aloizio Mercadante. According to him, “this study will serve as a compass to guide an energy transition strategy for the sector. For this, we count on the strategic partnership of Transpetro, chosen because of its expertise in multimodal fuel logistics.”

Shipbuilding industry, Petrobras, and international pressure.

The study will evaluate national and international experiences and challenges such as the development of the supply chain, the supply of competitive steel, technology absorption, and increased productivity. It will also create a database on the shipbuilding industry in Brazil and worldwide, with the aim of supporting public policies and defining short- and long-term goals.

At the corporate level, Petrobras has been leading initiatives related to the energy transition in maritime transport. In 2023 and 2024, tests were carried out with blends of up to 24% biodiesel (B24) in coastal vessels, in partnership with Transpetro and shipowners such as Maersk. "The results showed reductions of up to 19% in CO₂ emissions over the entire life cycle, without operational changes to the engines," said William Nozaki, the company's Integrated Energy Transition Management Manager.

The state-owned company also began selling VLS B24 in Brazil in July 2024 and operating in the Singapore bunker market with biodiesel certified by European sustainability standards. According to Petrobras' Strategic Plan 2050, investments of US$16,3 billion are planned by 2029 in biofuels, wind and solar energy, hydrogen, and carbon capture.

The Brazilian shipbuilding sector has been showing growth supported by public instruments such as the Merchant Marine Fund and federal stimulus programs. In 2024, approximately R$ 30,8 billion was approved for projects involving the construction and modernization of vessels and the expansion of shipyards. This movement occurs in parallel with international regulatory pressure: maritime transport accounts for more than 80% of world trade and about 2,89% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

In 2023, the International Maritime Organization revised its climate strategy, establishing indicative targets for reducing emissions by at least 20% by 2030, 70% by 2040, and neutrality by 2050. In this context, investments such as the one approved for Tecon Rio Grande reinforce Brazil's position in adapting its port and naval infrastructure to the environmental and logistical demands of global maritime trade.