CMPC takes a new step in Brazil with a port terminal to export pulp

CMPC achieved a new advance in the development of its production and logistics platform in Brazil after formalizing the transfer of a fiscal land of approximately 412,500 square meters at the Port of Rio Grande, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

The space will be destined for the construction of Terminal Rio Grande do Sul S.A., a Private Use Terminal (TUP) that will strengthen the infrastructure associated with the transportation and export of pulp produced by the company in Brazil.

The initiative contemplates an investment of close to US$292 million and will be developed by CMPC together with Neltume Ports through a joint venture. The operation of the terminal will be managed by Sagres.

The transfer contract will have an initial term of 25 years, with the possibility of extending it for another 25 years.

The signing ceremony was held at the campus of the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul, in Viamão. Brazil's President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, was scheduled to participate in the event, but was ultimately unable to attend due to weather conditions.

Infrastructure to accompany growth

The future terminal will have a handling capacity of up to 9 million tons per year, considering both the unloading of barges and the loading of vessels.

The design contemplates two berthing sites for vessels and another two destined for barges. In addition, there is a covered warehouse of 59,000 square meters, with capacity to store up to 220,000 tons of pulp.

The infrastructure seeks to respond to the expected growth of CMPC's operations in Rio Grande do Sul and reduce dependence on public port infrastructure to move its production.

Currently, around 90% of CMPC's pulp exports in the state, equivalent to about 1.85 million tons per year, are shipped through the Public Port of Rio Grande.

The company's projection points to its volumes in Rio Grande do Sul reaching approximately 4.6 million tons per year by 2030, which raises the strategic relevance of having its own port infrastructure and of a larger scale.

Part of the Natureza Project

The terminal is part of the logistics infrastructure contemplated in the so-called Natureza Project, one of CMPC's main expansion plans in Brazil.

The project considers an estimated investment of approximately US$5.26 billion and includes the construction of a new pulp plant in Barra do Ribeiro, in addition to the facilities and systems necessary to transport production to the Port of Rio Grande and from there to international markets.

In this context, the new terminal constitutes one of the components destined to connect industrial production with export routes.

"This milestone represents a new advance for CMPC in Rio Grande do Sul and reflects our long-term commitment to Brazil," said Augusto Robert, vice president of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability at CMPC.

The executive highlighted that the availability of the land will allow continued progress on a logistics infrastructure designed to accompany the growth of operations and the company's future expansion.

More than 1,600 jobs between construction and operation

In addition to its logistical dimension, the initiative will have an impact in terms of employment during its different stages.

According to the estimates associated with the project, the construction of the terminal will generate approximately 1,200 job opportunities, while its entry into operation would create around 450 jobs.

For the mayor of Rio Grande, Darlene Pereira, the arrival of this investment represents a relevant opportunity for the local economy.

The authority highlighted the volume of resources committed and the effect the initiative will have on employment and economic activity in the city and its surroundings.

The superintendent of Union Patrimony in Rio Grande do Sul, Emerson Rodrigues, also valued the use of the land previously occupied by the company Queiroz Galvão and stated that the project opens new development prospects for the region.

Next stage: installation license

With the transfer of the land already formalized, the project enters a new administrative phase. The terminal currently has a Prior License, but must still obtain the Installation License, the authorization required before the start of works.

In this way, CMPC adds a new advance in the configuration of the infrastructure that will accompany its expansion in Rio Grande do Sul.

The future terminal seeks to become a strategic component of the company's pulp logistics chain, increasing the capacity to receive production, store it and transfer it from barges to export vessels.

The bet also reinforces the positioning of the Port of Rio Grande as a relevant point for the international departure of pulp and directly links the industrial expansion projected by CMPC in Brazil with a logistics platform designed to operate at a significantly larger scale.