Arauco Group invests R$2 billion in port terminal in Santos

The Chilean company Arauco announced an investment of R$2 billion in the construction of a port terminal on the right bank of the Port of Santos, in the Alemoa neighborhood. The project is part of a broad logistical plan worth R$4.4 billion aimed at transporting cellulose production from the company’s future factory in Innocência, in Mato Grosso do Sul.

The port project will be responsible for shipping around 3.5 million tons of cellulose per year, mainly destined for the Asian market. The industrial unit, considered the largest cellulose plant in the world, is expected to begin operations in the fourth quarter of 2027.

The terminal will be located in an area of ​​approximately 200 thousand square meters and will have complete infrastructure, including dredging, berths, piers, storage areas and road and rail access. Initially, two berths will be built, with plans for future expansion.

The initiative is the result of the acquisition of the concession of the Private Use Terminal (TUP) Alemoa S/A. The project has already received technical authorization from the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) and is awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Ports and Airports.

In addition to the terminal, the logistics plan includes the construction of a 50 km railway branch, acquisition of locomotives and wagons, and operational contracts with Rumo Logística, responsible for transporting cargo to the coast of São Paulo. Transport will be carried out by trains of up to 100 wagons, significantly reducing the use of trucks and carbon emissions.

The railway operation, according to the company, will be able to remove up to 200 trucks per day from the highways, bringing gains in safety and sustainability. To make the project viable, Arauco is studying financing lines with BNDES and the Merchant Marine Fund.

With an integrated schedule, the company expects that all structures, factory, railway and port terminal, will come into operation simultaneously, guaranteeing logistical efficiency and international competitiveness.