Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT) has agreed with Brazil’s Imetame Group to acquire a 50 per cent stake in Imetame Logística Porto (ILP), a joint venture focused on container terminal operations. The partnership will jointly develop and operate a new container terminal, to be known as Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz, on Brazil’s east coast.
The new terminal will be located in Aracruz, Espírito Santo, and is scheduled to commence operations by mid-2028. Once fully developed, the facility is expected to have an annual capacity of around 1.2 million TEU, supported by 750 metres of quay length and state-of-the-art container handling equipment. With a water depth of 17 metres, the terminal will be capable of accommodating large container vessels and serving both transshipment and gateway cargo.
The project is positioned as a strategic addition to Brazil’s port infrastructure, offering an alternative access point to global trade routes that is closer to major consumer markets and cargo-originating states compared with traditional gateway ports. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
“Latin America is a key strategic market for Hanseatic Global Terminals and Hapag-Lloyd,” said Dheeraj Bhatia, CEO of Hanseatic Global Terminals. “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 benefits Brazil by enhancing trade infrastructure and providing more efficient access to global markets.”
Etore Selvatici Cavallieri, Chairman of Imetame Group, said the partnership would bring global expertise to the region. “We are very pleased to have Hanseatic Global Terminals as a strong strategic partner for the new container terminal in Espírito Santo. Their operational expertise will help deliver efficient cargo handling while strengthening Brazil’s role in global trade. The project will also support regional development through job creation and opportunities for local businesses.”
Terminal and infrastructure investments are a core part of Hanseatic Global Terminals’ long-term strategy, with the company targeting an expansion of its global portfolio to more than 30 terminals by 2030. Completion of the transaction remains subject to approval from relevant antitrust authorities and other regulatory clearances, along with customary closing conditions.
