Intermodality gains ground as APM Terminals Suape nears completion

As logistics leaders gathered at Intermodal South America in São Paulo to discuss how they could make the region's supply chains more connected and resilient, something tangible was taking place 2,000 kilometers to the northeast.

At the Suape Industrial Port Complex in the Recife Metropolitan Area of Brazil, construction of APM Terminals Suape is in its final stretch. The $350 million+ project recently welcomed 28 fully electric machines and is set to start operating in the second half of 2026.

Once operational, the new Suape terminal will add 400,000 TEU of annual capacity, increasing the port complex’s current container capacity by 55%. A second development phase has already been moved forward from 2034 to 2027, reflecting the strong demand and momentum behind the project.

APM Terminals Suape provides more than just infrastructure though. It’s being developed as an intermodal hub that can give the Brazil's Northeast something it has long lacked: direct long-haul connectivity supported by smooth, reliable transitions between sea, cabotage, road and eventually rail. The terminal is set to attract direct services to Europe and the Far East, increase the number of vessel calls, and reduce dependence on a single hub.

These changes open up meaningful alternatives for the region. Cargo that currently travels long distances by road will be able to move via coastal shipping and shorter overland routes. Exporters gain faster transit times and more cost-efficient options by combining different modes depending on their needs. Whether it’s refrigerated goods, industrial inputs or consumer products, there will be more flexibility in how supply chains can be designed.

Routing flexibility was a key theme at this year’s Intermodal conference, with growing recognition that cargo cannot rely on a single set of corridors. In Northeast Brazil, this is where the combination of APM Terminals’ Pecém and Suape terminals comes into play. These two terminals are in the same region but serve different hinterlands and industries – more complementary than competitive. Some cargo flows will naturally fit Pecém, others Suape. For customers, that means choice. And in logistics, choice often translates into resilience, especially when conditions change or certain routes become constrained.

Congestion at the Port of Santos – near São Paulo in southern Brazil – was another topic high on the agenda at the Intermodal conference. As Brazil’s main gateway, it operates close to its limits, and any delays can quickly ripple through supply chains. Adding capacity in other parts of the country is part of the solution, and Suape has a clear role to play. By taking on more long‑haul services in the Northeast, it helps distribute volumes more evenly instead of concentrating so much flow in a few southern gateways. And as Suape’s intermodal links expand, its ability to relieve pressure on the wider network will only grow.

But the impact goes beyond logistics. Suape is at the centre of a diverse industrial complex with activity ranging from energy and petrochemicals to food processing and automotive manufacturing. As infrastructure improves and new connections are added, it becomes easier for companies to expand or invest in the region. That competitiveness shows up not just in export opportunities, but also in the Northeast’s ability to operate as a domestic distribution hub.

The construction phase at the terminal has already created thousands of indirect jobs, with more expected as the terminal moves closer to opening. For local communities, that means skills development, employment opportunities and a stronger regional economy.

The conversations at Intermodal will help define logistics strategies for Brazil and for the region for the coming years. In Suape, much of that future is already taking shape.