US Consul criticizes restrictions and warns of risk of advantage to Chinese companies in Tecon Santos

The international debate on the auction of the Santos 10 Container Terminal (Tecon Santos 10), scheduled for the Saboó pier, in Port of Santosgained new chapters after a position taken by the United States government.

During a visit to Santos last week, the US consul general in São Paulo, Kevin Murakamistated that the auction rules should allow the participation of European shipowners who are currently prevented from bidding for the terminal.

The model approved by the Union Court of Auditors (TCU) establishes restrictions that prevent the participation of companies that already have terminals in the Port of Santos and also shipowners, that is, companies that own ships. In the diplomat’s opinion, this format may limit the competitiveness of the process.

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Murakami said he hoped the auction would be conducted fairly and criticized the restrictions that, according to him, could harm companies considered transparent. The consul confirmed that he was referring specifically to European shipowners Maerskfrom Denmark, and MSC Mediterranean Shipping Companyfrom Switzerland. Both have stakes in the terminal operated by Brazil Port Terminal (BTP), which prevents them from competing for the new asset under the current rules.

Despite the American demonstration, Murakami highlighted that there are no United States companies directly interested in the terminal project.

During the interview, the diplomat also expressed concern about a possible competitive advantage for Chinese companies in the dispute. He cited the case of COSCO Shippinga shipping company controlled by the Chinese government and which has already shown interest in the terminal.

According to Murakami, the participation of Chinese state-owned companies could raise strategic concerns. “Our concern is an auction that gives an advantage to state-owned Chinese companies, which could put Brazil’s sovereignty over its largest port, the largest port in Latin America, at risk,” he stated.

However, according to the current rules defined by the TCU, Cosco itself is also prevented from participating in the event.

This situation generated an impasse within the federal government, which has been successively postponing the auction, with no date yet set. The president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva seeks a solution that avoids diplomatic friction with China, Brazil’s main trading partner.

One of the alternatives under discussion would be to partially relax the TCU’s recommendations, allowing shipowners to participate in the auction, but maintaining the restriction for companies that already have terminals in operation at the Port of Santos. In this scenario, Cosco could compete for the asset, while Maersk and MSC would remain prevented.

Tecon Santos 10 is considered one of the most strategic projects for the expansion of Brazilian port infrastructure. The terminal will have an area of ​​approximately 621,900 square meters and capacity to handle up to 3.25 million TEU per year, a unit equivalent to 20-foot containers.

With a lease contract scheduled for 25 years and investments estimated at R$6.45 billion, the project could increase the container handling capacity of the Port of Santos by around 50%, further consolidating the complex as the main logistics hub in Latin America.

Footnote: This article was prepared based on information disclosed during the institutional agenda of the United States Consul General in São Paulo at the premises of Grupo A Tribuna, in Santos.