Auction for the privatization of port areas yields R$ 219,5 million to the government.

Pedro Peduzzi, reporter for Agência Brasil - The auction of four port areas held today (22) by the federal government at the São Paulo Stock Exchange raised R$ 219,529 million in grants. The three areas located in Cabedelo, Paraíba, were acquired by the Northeast Consortium, represented by the Ativa Brokerage. The port area located in the Port of Vitória (ES) was acquired by the Navegantes Logistica Consortium, represented by the Itaú brokerage.

Only one bid, valued at R$ 6,021 million, was made for the first lot, in Cabedelo (Ai-01). Also located in Cabedelo, the second and third lots were auctioned off for R$18,005 million and R$ 30,503 million, respectively.

The fourth and final lot, VIX30, located in the Port of Santos, was acquired by the Navegantes Logistica Consortium, represented by the brokerage firm Itaú, the sole bidder, for R$ 165 million.

The planned investments in the four terminals total R$ 199 million. The areas located in Paraíba are concessions with a 25-year lease term, classified as brownfield – existing regions that will receive operational improvements with more modern and efficient contracts.

Following the auction, the Minister of Infrastructure, Tarcísio de Freitas, said in a press conference that the government's expectations were exceeded by the auction, and that the event demonstrates the market's confidence in the current government, which could be positive for future auctions planned for the sector.

"We are pleased with the result because it exceeded expectations, which reaffirms the market's confidence in the current government, since the result surpassed our expectation of a premium," said the minister. "But a premium alone is not our objective, which is to stimulate and boost investments [in the projects]," he added.

Areas of Expertise
Area AI-01 covers 18.275 square meters and will require at least 19 tons of static storage capacity. Area AE-10 covers 18.344 square meters. The projected investment is R$ 36,5 million for fixed-roof (foundationless) carbon steel tanks and a loading and unloading station.

Area AE-11 covers 20.465 square meters and has a static capacity of 12.962 square meters, with a projected increase to 31.288. Investments are planned for fixed-roof (foundationless) carbon steel tanks, a discharge station, and a loading station, totaling R$ 35 million.

The VIX30 terminal, located in the Port of Vitória (ES), is a greenfield project: a new area without existing physical infrastructure. The lease term is 25 years and the projected investment is R$ 128 million. The leased area is approximately 74 square meters and is used for handling liquid bulk cargo (fuels).

The criterion adopted for the leases was the highest grant value, that is, the highest bid offered.