Ministry of Ports halts megaterminal auction schedule in Santos

The Ministry of Ports and Airports has halted the auction schedule for Tecon Santos 10, in the Port of Santos (SP). As SBT News found, the decision stems from an internal impasse in the government regarding the restrictions imposed on the participation of shipping companies (ship owners) in the event.

The model suggested by the Federal Audit Court (TCU) in December 2025 and accepted by the department led by Silvio Costa Filho (Republicanos – PE) establishes that these companies will only be able to participate in a possible second phase of the bidding if there are no valid proposals in the initial round, a scenario considered unlikely by the market.

After the Court’s decision, the Ministry informed that the notice would be published by the end of January, after holding a roadshow with national and foreign investors. To date, however, these steps have not been carried out nor have new dates been officially announced.

The initial expectation was to hold the auction in March. From the beginning, however, this schedule was received with skepticism by agents in the port sector, including members of the Ministry itself and Antaq (National Waterway Transport Agency), who assessed the deadline as difficult to meet.

The forecast was also linked to Silvio Costa Filho remaining in charge of the department. The minister is tipped to run for a seat in the Senate for Pernambuco in this year’s elections, and the legal deadline for disqualifying public positions ends in April.

Matter was dealt with in Planalto
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) met on Monday (2) with the Minister of the Civil House, Rui Costa (PT – BA), and Silvio Costa Filho to discuss the topic, amid pressure from investors and the lack of progress in the largest port leasing project currently underway in the country.

Interlocutors from the government and the port sector point to the Civil House as one of the main defenders of the opening of the event, especially for Chinese companies, such as China Merchants Ports and Cosco Shipping. The latter contested the restrictions at Cade (Administrative Council for Economic Defense) and filed an appeal at the TCU.

Those who contest the design of the event argue that the restriction on verticalization in the port sector (when shipowners operate terminals) reduces the grant value and does not, in itself, prevent market concentration, the occurrence of competitive risks or conflicts of interest.

Furthermore, they argue that they take away companies that are already consolidated and have expertise in the sector, such as Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM.

Importance of the project
Tecon Santos 10 is the largest project in the federal government’s leasing portfolio. Initially announced in 2012, the terminal will occupy around 622 thousand square meters, will have a 25-year contract, investments estimated at R$6.4 billion and the potential to increase the Port of Santos’ container handling capacity by up to 50%.

The expansion is considered urgent by the sector given the high level of congestion. In December 2025, 52% of ships operating in the main Brazilian ports registered delays or changes of call. At the Port of Santos, the rate reached 65%, with a maximum waiting time of up to 82 days, according to the Detention Zero Bulletin, from ElloX Digital in partnership with Cecafé (Brazilian Coffee Exporters Council).

When contacted, the Ministry of Ports and Airports did not respond until the publication of this report. The space remains open. The Civil House informed that the topic is the exclusive responsibility of the Ministry of Ports and Airports.