Brasil Terminal Portuario (BTP) has committed approximately 1.3 billion reais ($250 million) for infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Santos as it bids to renew its concession for another 20 years.
In a statement, the terminal operator said its upgrade plan includes four ship-to-shore (STS) cranes, 27 rubber tyred gantry (RTG) cranes and 46 terminal tractors. Following these acquisitions, the terminal will have a total of 12 STSs, 57 RTGs and 103 terminal tractors.
In addition to the purchase of new and modern equipment, the investment package also includes the reinforcement of mooring berths to serve 366m ships, the automation process of the terminal entrance and exit gates, the readjustment of buildings, as well as the expansion of the reefer area.
With these changes, the projected increase in operating area is approximately 24,000 m², from the current 430,000 m2 to 454,000 m², in total.
BTP’s original lease agreement was signed in 2007 for a period of 20 years, extendable for another 20. The terminal operator has already committed approximately $1 billion which included spending cutting emissions and $9 million on new container handling equipment.
Ricardo Arten, BTP CEO, said, “There was a public-private partnership throughout this process in which we built the plan.
“And this dynamic of dialogue with the Government was fundamental, so that we arrived at an investment plan that allows the development of port infrastructure and, at the same time, ensures the return to our shareholders.
“We understand that the bases of this document are very solid, and our expectation is that the Ministry of Infrastructure, through the Secretariat of Ports, will approve the request for renewal and proceed with the signature of the contractual amendment.”
Patricio Junior, Chairman, also commented, “We believe in Brazil and we will continue to invest. This request for early renewal of BTP’s contract is proof of this. The potential of this country is already gigantic.
“And to take off, we just need to pay more attention to the governance structures, insisting on a solid regulatory framework, which guarantees legal security for those who invest in intensive capital and works hard to increase the competitiveness of the national infrastructure.”
