Maersk Blocked From Bidding on Major Santos Port Terminal Project
Maersk’s attempt to secure a place in the bidding for the Tecon10 terminal project at the Port of Santos has been halted by Brazil’s Federal Audit Court (TCU), which upheld regulations preventing operators of existing terminals within the same port from competing for new concessions.
The court’s decision confirms earlier legislation barring companies already active at a port from participating in additional projects to prevent excessive market concentration. Maersk – through APM Terminals – and MSC jointly operate Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) in Santos, and their challenge to the bidding rules established by Brazil’s port regulator Antaq has now officially failed.
Under Antaq’s auction structure, Maersk and MSC are permitted to participate only if the first phase of the process does not yield any viable bids. Although the tender had been expected to launch earlier this year, ongoing legal disputes have pushed back the timeline.
CMA CGM is also expected to be excluded due to its recent acquisition of a majority stake in Santos Brasil, another major terminal operator in the port. Likewise, DP World – which owns 100% of Embraport in Santos – falls under the same restrictions. However, along with Maersk, both parties would be allowed to enter a second bidding round should the initial phase fail to attract qualified proposals.
The Tecon10 project represents one of the most significant expansions in the history of Latin America’s largest container port. Four new berths are planned for the Saboó area of Santos at an estimated cost of US$1.1 billion.
Once completed, the facilities are expected to add 3 million TEU of annual handling capacity, increasing the port’s total throughput capability by roughly 50%. This expansion will also give Santos more room to build on the 66 services it currently supports, enhancing its role as a key logistics hub in the region.
In addition to constructing the new berths, whichever operator ultimately wins the concession will be required to build a rail yard capable of handling 900 TEU per day – an infrastructure component viewed as critical for improving connectivity and reducing congestion.
