Hanseatic Global Terminals (HGT), the terminal division of Hapag-Lloyd, and the Brazilian group Imetame have completed the establishment of the joint company Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz S.A., through which the Rotterdam-based company acquires 50% of a container terminal project in the development phase in the state of Espírito Santo (Brazil). The operation, announced on June 3, has received all the necessary regulatory approvals and continues the agreement signed between both parties in December 2025.
The new terminal will be located in Aracruz, on the east coast of Brazil, and is designed to accommodate next-generation vessels. The technical characteristics of the project include a draft of 17 meters, 750 meters of docking line, and state-of-the-art container handling equipment, with an estimated annual capacity of approximately 1.2 million TEUs. The facility is conceived as a transshipment hub and gateway for foreign trade on Brazil's east coast. Operations are expected to commence in mid-2028.
Dheeraj Bhatia, CEO of Hanseatic Global Terminals, stated that "Latin America is a key strategic market for Hanseatic Global Terminals and Hapag-Lloyd," adding that the alliance with the Imetame group and the development of the terminal in Aracruz "will strengthen regional connectivity, expand capacity, and provide more efficient access to global markets."
For his part, Etore Selvatici Cavallieri, president of the Imetame group, affirmed that the partnership with HGT aims to "offer operational excellence, generate opportunities for the region, and consolidate Brazil's role in global trade."
The operation is part of Hanseatic Global Terminals' expansion strategy in Latin America. The company, which manages the terminal portfolio of the Hapag-Lloyd group, plans to expand its network to exceed 30 terminals by 2030. The company Hanseatic Global Terminals Aracruz S.A. was previously known as Imetame Logística Porto S.A. The parties have not disclosed the financial details of the transaction.