Brazil Infrastructure Port of Paranaguá

Brazil awarded the Port of Paranaguá channel concession signaling a new wave of maritime infrastructure multi-billion-dollar tenders that could benefit U.S. engineering and dredging firms.

Brazil is launching a new model of port infrastructure concession with the landmark 25-year contract for the access channel to the Port of Paranaguá in Paraná state. The winning consortium offered R$276 million (≈ US$49 million) for the concession and plans approximately R$1.2 billion (≈ US$212 million) in investments over the first five years to deepen the channel from 13.3 to 15.5 meters, widen the access route, and upgrade dredging, signaling, rock removal and bathymetric services. Brazil’s federal government and its port regulator ANTAQ regard the Paranaguá model as a pilot for similar concessions at major port complexes such as Port of Santos (SP) and Port of Itajaí (SC) scheduled for 2026, with investment targets of up to R$8 billion. According to the port authority, the improved draft will allow larger vessels, reduce dwell times and increase throughput—benefiting Brazil’s commodity exports and opening procurement opportunities for equipment, engineering services and technologies. 

Brazil-U.S. Business Implications
For U.S. companies, the concession model offers market entry possibilities in dredging, marine engineering, port equipment, VTS/VTMIS (vessel traffic systems), navigation aids, environmental monitoring and control systems. As Brazil expands this model to additional ports, U.S. exporters and service firms should position themselves early to join consortia or supply components. Improved port efficiency also enhances export logistics for U.S. manufactured goods and agricultural inputs to Brazil.

Growth Outlook
The concession of the Paranaguá channel signals a strategic shift in Brazil’s port infrastructure model, moving from state-run dredging and maintenance to private-sector concession frameworks. If successfully replicated at key export hubs like Santos and Itajaí, this could trigger multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investment waves over the next 5-10 years. For U.S. firms, early positioning in this market may open significant long-term supply and service contracts, aligned with Brazil’s agriculture export growth and demand for improved maritime logistics.

For more information on opportunities for U.S. companies, please contact Fabiola Rios Fabiola.Rios@trade.gov, Port Infrastructure and Services Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Recife.