The Brazilian shipping industry and port sector ended 2024 with the best result in more than a decade. The segment closed last year with R$30.8 billion approved for more than 430 new projects, including vessel construction, repairs, docking, modernization of units, expansion of shipyards and new port infrastructure, driven by resources from the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM), 
The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho (photo), highlighted that the federal government has resumed and prioritized projects neglected by the previous administration. According to him, the amount approved in the last biennium was twice as high as that prioritized in the four years of the previous government.
In the last two years, the total number of projects approved by the FMM was 70% greater than the number registered between 2019 and 2022, going from 768 (in four years) to 1,300 in the last two years.
“I have no doubt that we are on the right path to regaining the leading role of the shipping industry and the port sector. And I say this based on the results we achieved during President Lula’s government. In the last two years, we approved, through the Merchant Marine Fund, almost R$45 billion in modernization and construction projects in the naval sector. This amount is double what was invested in the four years of the previous government. This means more credit, more investment, strengthening the port and navigation sector, which represents economic development, job creation and increased income for Brazilians”, said the minister.
Expansion
Another significant figure was the amount allocated to carrying out works to expand the naval industry. From January to December 2024, contracts worth R$5.33 billion were signed, the highest volume since 2012. These resources financed 548 new works, the majority of which were for inland navigation (415), followed by maritime support ( 94), port support (37) and cabotage (2). Added to the resources invested in 2023, the government allocated R$6.36 billion to new ventures, an increase of 326% compared to the period of the previous administration (2019 to 2022).
According to a resolution by the Board of Directors of the Merchant Marine Fund (CDFMM), companies that have their projects prioritized are qualified to contract financing through agreed financial agents — National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), Banco do Brasil, Caixa Econômica Federal (CEF) and Banco da Amazônia (Basa). Resources are released according to the progress of projects and their implementation phases. The first CDFMM meeting is scheduled for March 27th.
