DP World and Maersk have signed an eight-year agreement to expand maritime services at DP World's terminal in the Port of Santos, Brazil. The collaboration aims to increase container-handling capacity and improve service reliability at one of Brazil's busiest ports.
DP World currently operates one of the largest private terminals at the Port of Santos. Under the agreement, Maersk will introduce additional long-term services and maintain a minimum service level. In the first year, the company plans to launch six new services with eight weekly calls, increasing to seven services and 10 weekly calls by 2026. This expansion aligns with ongoing infrastructure developments at the terminal.
To meet growing demand, DP World is investing approximately $90 million to expand the terminal's annual container-handling capacity from 1.4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 1.7 million TEUs by the end of 2026. A further investment of about $320 million is planned to increase capacity to 2.1 million TEUs by the end of 2027.
Márcio Medina, Commercial Vice President at DP World in Brazil, stated that the agreement with Maersk is intended to support the company's operational expansion and secure long-term access to the Port of Santos.
Paulo Ruy, Regional Head of Terminal and Port Procurement for Latin America at Maersk, said the agreement will help ensure service continuity and operational efficiency for the company's customers in the region. He noted that the partnership is part of Maersk's strategy to meet growing demand and enhance logistics services.
In 2024, DP World reported handling more than 1.25 million TEUs at its Santos terminal, representing a 14% increase compared to the previous year. The growth has been attributed to expanded operations and the introduction of new shipping services.
As part of a broader development plan, DP World has also invested $50 million in new port equipment, contributing to its ongoing $85 million terminal expansion project. In addition to container handling, DP World recently signed an agreement with Rumo, a Brazilian railway operator, to develop a new terminal for grain and fertilizer shipments, adding an estimated 12.5 million tons of annual capacity.
These developments are part of ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and increase trade capacity at the Port of Santos, which plays a central role in Brazil's logistics and supply chain network.
For more information:
Melina Vissat
DP World
Tel: +1 704 605 6159
Email: melina.vissat@dpworld.com
www.dpworld.com