Investment of over R$ 1 billion in terminals expected to boost cruise industry in Brazil, says Federal Government

In Santos, the relocation and expansion of the Giusfredo Santini Passenger Terminal, managed by Concais, is viewed by the Federal Government as a major incentive for the sector (Vanessa Rodrigues/AT Archive)

The Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) foresees that investments in passenger terminals will help expand cruise tourism in Brazil. This year, auctions are planned for embarkation and disembarkation terminals to encourage the operation of maritime cruise ships, with investments totaling around R\$ 1 billion.

According to the National Secretary of Ports, Alex Ávila, an auction for the Maceió (AL) passenger terminal is scheduled for October 22 at the São Paulo Stock Exchange (B3), with expected investments of R\$ 3.7 million and a 25-year concession term. “This terminal is intended for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers transiting through the Port of Maceió, contributing to the comfort and safety of tourists”, Ávila stated, noting that the project also includes the construction of an adjacent parking area.

With these investments, the port will be able to receive cruise ships up to 220 meters in length, and up to 300 meters with external maneuvering outside the turning basin and the use of specialized equipment.

An auction for the Maritime Passenger Terminal at the Port of Recife (PE) is also planned for 2025. “We expect the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) to approve this auction so we can set a date”, added the secretary, emphasizing that the Northeast region has a natural vocation for tourism that must be encouraged. The terminal in Recife, along with those in Fortaleza (CE), Maceió, and Salvador (BA), is expected to strengthen cruise tourism in the Northeast.

Santos Another planned project is the relocation, expansion, and modernization of the Giusfredo Santini Passenger Terminal, managed by Concais at the Port of Santos.

Within the Santos 10 Container Terminal (Tecon) project, located at the Saboó quay and scheduled for auction in December, there is a provision for an investment of approximately R\$ 1 billion as a counterpart for the construction of the Concais slab in the Valongo area.

The new infrastructure will directly connect passenger boarding to the Historic Center of Santos.

According to the secretary, there are also expectations for the construction of a new passenger terminal at the Port of Paranaguá (PR), an initiative supported by the State Government and the Port Authority. The project is currently under study for future implementation.

The secretary also mentioned the Outeiro (PA) terminal, which is undergoing modernization to accommodate passenger ships for COP-30.

Biometric boarding In another development, cruise tourism in Brazil will adopt a facial recognition tool to streamline and enhance the safety of tourist boarding procedures. Launched by MPor, the digital platform is based on biometrics and early check-in and will be available to cruise operators starting in October.

The solution is integrated into Porto Sem Papel (PSP), a program created by the Federal Government to reduce bureaucracy in port operations and consolidate the requirements of various agencies beyond port authorities, including Anvisa, the Federal Police, and the Navy.

Implemented in public ports across Brazil and most private ones, PSP has unified agency forms and reduced the average port stay for a vessel from 20 days to just four.

Figures The 2024/2025 season closed with 838,100 cruise passengers, a 0.8% decrease compared to the previous season (844,000). A further drop is expected in the 2025/2026 season, which will offer 674,600 berths on seven regular ships — two fewer than before — representing a reduction of 186,400 berths (-19.5%). The lack of adequate port infrastructure, high supply costs, and ongoing labor and consumer lawsuits are contributing to this contraction. The next cruise season will also be shorter, running from October 21, 2025, to April 24, 2026. According to Concais, which manages the Giusfredo Santini Maritime Passenger Terminal at the Port of Santos, the season will begin on October 26 with the arrival of the MSC Preziosa and will end on April 19, 2026, with the departure of the Costa Diadema.