On May 6, 2024, Fundação Getulio Vargas signed a cooperation agreement with PortosRio (the port authority of Rio de Janeiro State) to carry out technical advisory projects involving market studies, economic projections, scenario analysis and strategic planning for the ports of Rio de Janeiro, Itaguaí, Niterói and Angra dos Reis. The signing ceremony, held during the launch of the first phase of the modernization of Gamboa Quay in downtown Rio, was attended by the minister for ports and airports, Silvio Costa Filho, other public officials, business people and professionals related to the ports sector.

“Rio de Janeiro needs an economic renewal if it is to once again play an important role on the Brazilian stage. There is nothing better than revitalizing its port, following the example of Galeão International Airport, to create the conditions for attracting new investments. Ports and airports are thermometers that give an idea of a city’s development, and when they are well structured, they generate prosperity and growth,” said Marcus Quintella, the director of FGV Transport, who represented FGV’s president at the ceremony.

According to Quintella, it will take six months to complete the studies, which will include a review of previous research related to various areas that influence the dynamics of port operations, such as trade, industry, tourism and business.

“While launching an important infrastructure project, we have also signed partnerships with large institutions such as Fundação Getulio Vargas. We’ve gone in search of leading authorities to update our plan for the Port of Rio de Janeiro and to prospect new markets. We will study the port’s expansion, thinking outside the box and identifying different possibilities. After that, we will look for engineering solutions, without giving up the idea of integrating the port with the city. This is very important for Rio, just as it is for Santos, because we are in the heart of the city. The port and city interact with one another,” explained Francisco Martins, the president of PortosRio.

Martins, who is from Pernambuco in northeastern Brazil, also mentioned the transformation of his state’s economy through the creation of the Suape Port and Industrial Complex, which opened up new capacity, alleviating congestion at the nearby Port of Recife.

“I’m not saying that the Port of Rio is congested, but Itaguaí has everything necessary to become a port and industrial complex and that’s what we’re also going to study in partnership with FGV. Finally, together with FGV’s team, we also want to look into the details of a market that is increasingly promising: oil platform decommissioning. We want to find out where we can contribute within this area, which has a fundamental environmental role to play and is also an opportunity that we can’t miss,” he said.

Wrapping up the ceremony, the minister for ports and airports, Silvio Costa Filho, said that it is essential to invest in the Port of Rio in order to enhance its competitiveness.

“When Rio does well, Brazil’s Northeastern and Northern regions do well too,” said the minister.

He also stressed that by strengthening airports and structuring ports, it will be possible to attract more investment to the state. At the end of his speech, he thanked Fundação Getulio Vargas for its collaboration.

“FGV is going to help us think about the port’s future role and improve its growth strategy so that we can foster this facility, which lies in the heart of Rio,” he said.