Port of Antwerp Invests in Brazilian Port of Açu

Port of Antwerp, through its subsidiary Port of Antwerp International (PAI), will invest USD 10 million in Porto do Açu, a privately owned port complex in São João da Barra, in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, the port said.

As disclosed, Brazil is a very important maritime trading partner for the port of Antwerp, as more than 6.4 million tonnes of freight are exchanged on an annual basis between the two, placing Brazil on the 6th place as a trading partner.

Port of Açu is an industrial deep sea port for the handling of oil, gas, dry bulk, containers and general cargo. The port also serves as a support centre for the Brazilian offshore sector due to its location to the Campos basin.

The construction of the port complex started in 2007 and the first operations started in 2014. Port of Açu has a surface of 130 km² of which 40 km² is natural reserve. The port has potential to operate 17 km of dock with a maximum depth of 25m. It has the capacity to receive very large vessels such as Capesizes and VLCCs.

PAI said that it opted for Porto do Açu due to its strategic location near oil and gas fields and the proximity to Minas Gerais, the gateway to Brazil.

For the investment PAI will receive 1,176% of the share capital and it has the option to invest additionally after 18 months. Port of Antwerp International will also appoint 1 member of the board of directors, 4 managers of Porto do Açu and plans to provide consultancy services to the port.