Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2025 begins technical agenda in Seattle with a focus on innovation and technology

Seattle’s waterfront, with the port and various vessels. In the city, urban development meets maritime activity (Rodrigo Nardelli/TV Tribuna)

The Brazilian delegation participating in the Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2025, organized by Grupo Tribuna in the United States, begins its technical agenda in Seattle this Tuesday (27). On Monday, authorities, entrepreneurs, and port sector specialists had their first encounter with the city, bathed by the Pacific Ocean and considered one of the key economic drivers of the American West Coast.

In the morning, the group — comprising around 40 Brazilians — will visit the local fishing terminal and tour the Port of Seattle, one of the ten largest in the United States and a source of pride for the city's roughly 750,000 residents. The city impresses by blending innovation with tradition, technology with nature, and modernity with history.

Located in the state of Washington, Seattle is home to some of the world’s largest companies, including Amazon, Microsoft, and Starbucks. Unsurprisingly, it has established itself as a hub for technology and entrepreneurship, attracting talent from across the globe. Additionally, it stands as one of the most active centers of innovation in the U.S., with startups and research labs focused on artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.

However, Seattle goes beyond the corporate world. With its unique geography, the city has a distinct charm. Surrounded by water, it is intersected by Lake Washington and Elliott Bay, earning it the nickname "City of Waters." The temperate climate — with rainy winters and mild summers — contributes to its evergreen landscape, a hallmark that gives Washington its moniker, The Evergreen State.

Pike Place Market, famous for its seafood (AdobeStock)

For tourists, Seattle offers a wealth of attractions. Pike Place Market, one of the oldest public markets in the U.S., is a must-visit for those looking to sample ultra-fresh seafood and the famous Seattle Dog, a hot dog served with cream cheese. Incidentally, the market is also the birthplace of the first Starbucks store, opened in 1971 — a pilgrimage site for coffee enthusiasts.

Space Needle: the observation tower stands 184 meters tall (AdobeStock)

Another city icon is the Space Needle, a futuristic tower built for the 1962 World’s Fair, which today is one of Seattle’s most recognizable landmarks. From its 184-meter height, one can enjoy panoramic views of the city, Mount Rainier, and the surrounding waters. For those who enjoy arts and culture, the Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) offers rich exhibits on music, film, and video games.

Seattle is also known for its vibrant music scene. In the 1990s, it was the cradle of the grunge movement, which produced iconic bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden. To this day, the city maintains a strong musical identity, with renowned concert venues and festivals like Bumbershoot, one of the largest music and arts festivals in the U.S.

Olympic National Park: close contact with nature (AdobeStock)

For nature lovers, there is no shortage of options. Olympic National Park, about two hours from the city, offers hiking trails, waterfalls, and stunning beaches. Closer to downtown, Discovery Park provides spectacular bay views and is a perfect refuge for those seeking tranquility amid urban hustle.

Still, Seattle faces ongoing challenges. The high cost of living and homelessness have been long-standing issues. The city also has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, driven by tech industry growth. On the other hand, local authorities are investing in housing policies and social programs to mitigate these problems.

Members of the Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2025 participated in the welcome dinner on Monday night (26) (Fábio Pires/TV Tribuna)

Participants highlight the opportunity On Monday night (26), participants of the Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2025 attended a welcome dinner hosted by Grupo Tribuna in Seattle. The delegation will continue a comprehensive agenda in the United States through Friday. “We expect to see many great and important things for the port sector in Seattle, San Francisco, and Silicon Valley, in a schedule with a strong technical focus,” said Marcos Clemente Santini, CEO of A Tribuna.

The pioneering nature of the Mission was emphasized by Maxwell Rodrigues, port affairs consultant for Grupo Tribuna. “We have a huge responsibility, and our missions grow each year, with high-quality content and valuable knowledge that we bring back to Brazil.”

“Our missions were resumed in 2022 with the goal of offering a more technical agenda”, added Demetrio Amono, Commercial Director of Grupo Tribuna.

Significance Marcos Bemquerer Costa, acting minister of Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), highlighted the importance of the international mission. “We’re often confined to rooms, just studying paperwork, and going into the field to see technology and new work methods helps when we’re analyzing processes and making decisions that affect the country.”

Alber Vasconcelos Neto, director of the National Agency for Waterway Transportation (Antaq), noted that strategic agenda items in the U.S., such as the implementation of technology in daily port operations, enrich the Mission. “Modernizing the sector depends on what we’re going to see here. It’s not just about adjusting laws; it’s about upgrading terminals and service delivery.”

Knowledge Alberto Mourão (MDB), mayor of Praia Grande, discussed the potential for expanding backport operations in the Baixada Santista region during the dinner. “We need to adapt land-use legislation to allow the Port of Santos to breathe and grow — not only its physical structure but also its surroundings.”

Anderson Pomini, president of the Santos Port Authority (APS), stressed the opportunity to learn from international best practices and apply them at the Port of Santos. “The Port of Santos is at a very important moment in its history, with plans to expand its Poligonal, for example.

State deputy Paulo Corrêa Jr. (PSD) emphasized that the São Paulo State Legislative Assembly has sought to stay close to port-related issues, with a parliamentary front actively supporting the ports of Santos and São Sebastião. “We’ll gain a lot here — ideas for technology and operations that will greatly benefit the ports of São Paulo.”

State deputy Solange Freitas (União) underscored the value of learning about solutions adopted in the U.S. “The debates about the Port of Santos also reach the State Assembly, such as access issues and the need for a third lane on the Imigrantes Highway. That’s why it’s important for us to be here, united in this effort.”

Adilson Júnior (PP), president of the Santos City Council, recalled discussions that gained traction after previous international missions by Grupo Tribuna. “I was in Rotterdam in 2022, and from there we brought back the topic of the Export Processing Zone (ZPE) and the Port-Industry concept that we’re currently discussing in Santos.”

(Missão Internacional Porto & Mar 2025)