Brazil has moved to allow shipping lines to participate in the auction for a new mega container terminal at the Port of Santos, reports the UK's Seatrade Maritime News. The Presidential Chief of Staff Office instructed the Ports Ministry to remove restrictions and double the minimum concession fee.

The technical note from the Investment Partnerships Programme clears the way for operators such as MSC and Maersk to bid for Tecon Santos 10, provided they divest existing assets if successful. The minimum concession fee rises from BRL500 million (US$102 million) to BRL1.044 billion.

Restrictions had been recommended by Brazil's federal audit court, but ANTAQ concluded that excluding shipping lines would create inefficiencies. International operators including Cosco Shipping, MSC, Maersk, and China Merchants Ports had pressed for broader access.

Companies without a presence in Santos, such as ICTSI and JBS, favor a restricted two-phase auction.

STS 10 calls for investment of more than $1.2 billion and is expected to expand container handling capacity at Latin America's largest port by 50 percent. The auction, originally planned for late 2025, is now expected in the second half of 2026, though it could slip into 2027.

Guidelines state current operators must file irrevocable divestment of other Santos terminals before signing a new contract. The note said greater competition would help reduce logistics costs and strengthen Brazil's supply chain.