ICTSI invests nearly R$1B to expand, modernize Rio Brasil Terminal

International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) is investing R$948 million to expand and modernize the Rio Brasil Terminal at the Port of Rio de Janeiro, a project seen as key to boosting the capacity, efficiency, and competitiveness of Brazil’s national port system.

The investment was highlighted during a visit by Brazil’s ports and airports minister, accompanied by local authorities and ICTSI executives. The project aligns with the federal government’s push to strengthen logistics infrastructure and support foreign trade growth.

Of the total investment, about R$414.4 million is allocated for infrastructure works, while R$533.5 million will fund the acquisition of new equipment. Planned upgrades include the unification and expansion of storage yards, reconfiguration of buildings to improve internal flows, acquisition of modern container-handling equipment, and the modernization of utility and electrical systems. Investments in technology and automation are also included to enhance operational efficiency and customer service.

“It’s an investment of almost R$1 billion that will be essential for us to expand operations here at the port, going from 440 thousand to 750 thousand TEU and, in the future, perhaps reaching 1.2 million,” said Minister Silvio Costa Filho. He added that the project would also generate employment and income, noting that port expansion directly supports economic activity.

Costa Filho said the Port of Rio de Janeiro recorded a 14-percent growth in cargo movement as of 30 November, underscoring the importance of continued investments to raise the competitiveness of Brazil’s ports. He stressed that partnerships among the federal government, state government, municipalities, and private operators are vital to strengthening the country’s production and logistics chains.

The project includes advanced access control, monitoring, and cargo management systems, as well as infrastructure upgrades to meet updated regulatory requirements of the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service. Environmental sustainability measures are also part of the plan, in line with ICTSI’s global commitments to responsible operations and decarbonization.

“This is a transformative project that reinforces our commitment to Brazil and to the expansion, efficiency, and competitiveness of the national logistics chain,” said Roberto Lopes, chief executive officer of Rio Brasil Terminal. He noted that the investment complements ICTSI’s spending of more than R$190 million in the Rio-Minas and Rio-Suzano logistics corridors, with a focus on rail transport, and will help ease congestion at the Port of Santos by redistributing port demand.

Once completed, the expansion will allow the terminal to handle larger Panamax and post-Panamax vessels of up to 366 meters in length and capacities exceeding 13,000 TEUs, reflecting the global trend toward bigger container ships. The first two new cranes, scheduled to arrive in mid-2026, are designed to serve vessels up to 400 meters long.

Container volumes at the Port of Rio de Janeiro have risen steadily since 2023, driven by the growth of Brazilian foreign trade, a trend that has continued in 2025 and is expected to persist. According to ICTSI, additional yard capacity and new cranes coming online in 2026 will enable the terminal to offer increased capacity to customers ahead of full project completion.

With all investments implemented, the terminal is expected to operate at around 75-percent capacity utilization between 2029 and 2030, improving predictability, reducing waiting times, and lowering logistics costs. Without the expansion, projections indicate the terminal could face saturation as early as 2027 or 2028.

“ICTSI is the largest independent container operator in the world, with 34 terminals in 20 countries,” said Anders Kjeldsen, ICTSI vice president for the Americas. “This project demonstrates our long-term commitment to bringing international standards of efficiency and technology to Brazil and strengthening the country’s logistics competitiveness.”