Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT), the infrastructure division of shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, is to build a terminal facility for handling sea freight items in Brazil. The coastal town of Rodovia, near the city of Aracruz, was selected for the project. It is located about 600 kilometers northeast of Rio de Janeiro, in the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo (Holy Spirit). It is the first terminal operated by HGT on the Atlantic coast of Latin America.
50/50% JV
Local partner of HGT is the Brazilian company Imetame Logística Porto (ILP), which holds 50% of the shares in the JV. It is an offspring of the Imetame Group, a diversified Brazilian conglomerate founded in 1980. Both parties have agreed not to disclose the financial details of the deal. Completion of the construction work is scheduled for 2027, with operations set to commence in mid-2028.
Under the agreement, both partners will jointly operate the new Aracruz container terminal, which will serve as a modern transshipment and gateway port facility. HGT estimates the annual handling capacity at 1.2 million TEU. The berth length is 750m, allowing two container vessels to dock simultaneously. State-of-the-art equipment for handling the steel boxes will enable ships to be loaded and unloaded quickly. Particularly important: The port’s depth of 17m allows even the largest container ships to enter and leave the harbor fully loaded, which sets Aracruz apart from other Brazilian ports.
Aracruz fills a gap
“Our joint venture with the Imetame Group and the development of a new transshipment hub and gateway port on Brazil’s east coast strengthens our terminal portfolio while addressing capacity constraints in a growth region. This investment in the port of Aracruz benefits Brazil by strengthening trade infrastructure via a port closer to consumer markets and key global shipping routes than traditional gateway ports – thereby providing several cargo-originating states an alternative and more efficient access to global markets,” said Dheeraj Bhatia, CEO of Hanseatic Global Terminals while presenting the project. He does not name the states without adequate seaport access, but they are likely to be Rondonia, Acre, Mato Grosso, Goias, and Tocantins, which are located in the Brazilian hinterland and are the source of many agricultural exports.
From a legal standpoint, Veirano Advogados advised Imetame Group on the transaction, while Demarest Advogados acted as legal counsel to Hanseatic Global Terminals.
Creating new market opportunities at Espirito Santo’s coastal area
The “Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz” project highlights the growing interest of major international operators in investing in strategic port infrastructure in Latin America. It reinforces Brazil’s position as a regional logistics hub.
“We are very pleased to have Hanseatic Global Terminals as a strong strategic partner for the new container terminal in Espírito Santo. Hanseatic Global Terminals possesses great expertise to offer the new terminal’s customers, importers and exporters efficient cargo handling and further strengthen Brazil’s importance in global trade. Beyond operational excellence, we are committed to developing opportunities for the region, boosting jobs and fostering the development of local businesses,” stated Etore Selvatici Cavallieri, Chairman of Imetame Group.
More terminals are to come
According to HGT, Latin America is a key strategic market for the company and its parent Hapag-Lloyd. With the new terminal in Aracruz, the operator aims to expand its portfolio while reducing capacity bottlenecks in this growth region. HGT’s goal is to expand its portfolio to more than 30 terminals by 2030. Currently, the company manages 22 strategically located terminals, focusing on efficiency, safety, and sustainability. Of these, 9 Terminals are located at the West Coast of Latin America – between Mexico (Maxatlán) and Chile (Portuaria Corral S.A.).
According to reports, they are running well, even without the support of the Holy Spirit.
FIT is HGT’s newest member
As announced on 09JAN26, Hanseatic Global Terminals will become the sole owner of Florida International Terminal (FIT). An agreement regarding the change of ownership was signed between HGT and Agunsa Universales S.A. (AGUNSA USA). The vendor is part of the Grupo Empresas Navieras (GEN), headquartered in Viña del Mar, Chile.
FIT is located in Port Everglades, South Florida, serving one of the largest consumer markets globally. The terminal specializes in container and general cargo handling and provides direct connectivity to major highways and rail networks, ensuring efficient inland and intermodal transportation and access to the region’s hinterland. The companies involved have not disclosed the purchase price.
