Brazil Ports Infrastructure Merchant Marine Fund
Brazil’s Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) approved US$1.6 billion for 26 projects across nine states, aiming to create 6,530 direct jobs in the shipbuilding and port sectors.
Market Overview
On October 8, Brazil’s Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) approved US$1.6 billion in financing for 26 projects in the shipbuilding and port sectors, with the potential to create 6,530 direct jobs. The projects span nine states and include port infrastructure, shipbuilding, river transport, and maritime logistics. Approximately US$860 million is allocated to three port infrastructure projects. Major investments include the US$380 million Mar Azul Terminal in São Francisco do Sul, Santa Catarina, which will handle steel products and fertilizers; US$252 million for the access channel concession at the Port of Paranaguá, Paraná; and US$224 million for the Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz project in Espírito Santo, focused on containers and general cargo.
The portfolio also includes US$77 million for five pulp and lumber vessels to be built for Unes Navegação Brasil, supporting regional waterway logistics in Rio Grande do Sul.
The FMM approvals signal continued Brazilian investment in expanding port capacity, improving maritime logistics, and strengthening domestic shipbuilding and regional supply chains.
Companies granted priority at the October 2026 meeting have 450 days from the Federal Official Gazette’s publication date to secure financing—or face expiration and return of funds—while project implementation must begin within 24 months to prevent revocation, with medium- to long-term disbursements released gradually before full repayment begins once operations start.
Commercial Opportunities for U.S. Companies: Port Infrastructure and Maritime Technology
The scale and diversity of the approved projects create opportunities for U.S. suppliers of specialized infrastructure, equipment, and technology.
Opportunities include:
• Port engineering and construction: Terminal development, civil engineering, and specialized infrastructure for new and expanded facilities.
• Dredging and maritime engineering: The Paranaguá access channel project may generate demand for dredging, hydrographic surveying, and maritime engineering services.
• Port equipment and automation: Cargo-handling systems, terminal operating software, automated equipment, and supply-chain tracking technologies.
• Maritime equipment: Propulsion systems, navigation and communications equipment, deck machinery, and specialized shipbuilding components.
• Waterway logistics: Vessel technologies and logistics solutions for river and coastal transportation, including equipment suited to regional waterways.
• Digital logistics: Port management, cargo visibility, fleet management, and other technologies that improve operational efficiency.
The projects also create potential opportunities for U.S. companies to supply Brazilian shipyards, terminal operators, engineering firms, and logistics providers rather than competing only for direct government contracts.
Market Entry Considerations
FMM financing is subject to project-specific conditions, with contracting and disbursement dependent on review and approval by participating financial institutions. U.S. companies should therefore identify Brazilian project sponsors, concessionaires, shipyards, engineering firms, and equipment integrators early in the procurement cycle.
Local partnerships, distributors, and technology integrators may provide an effective route to market, particularly for specialized equipment and technologies requiring installation, maintenance, or local technical support.
The geographic diversity of the portfolio also creates opportunities beyond Brazil’s largest ports, including projects serving regional industrial and agricultural supply chains.
Outlook
The FMM’s US$1.6 billion project portfolio reinforces Brazil’s continued investment in port capacity, maritime transportation, and domestic shipbuilding. As projects move from financing approval toward implementation, demand is likely to grow for specialized engineering services, maritime equipment, port automation, dredging, and logistics technologies.
U.S. companies with competitive technologies and experience in port modernization, maritime transportation, and terminal operations should consider engaging project sponsors and Brazilian partners early to identify procurement opportunities.
The U.S. Commercial Service in Brazil can assist U.S. companies through market intelligence, partner identification, business matchmaking, and connections with Brazilian transportation and infrastructure stakeholders.
If you wish to learn more details about these investments and related procurement opportunities and introductions, please contact Fabíola Rios, Transportation Sector Lead Specialist at the U.S. Consulate in Recife, Brazil at fabiola.rios@trade.gov.
To explore additional industry sector intelligence and insights on the Brazilian market, please visit Brazil Published Market Intelligence.