The arrival of 28 fully electrified equipment units at APM Terminals Suape signified a huge step forward in the development of Latin America’s first fully electrified port facility. Delivered by SANY and representing an investment of USD 47 million, the equipment enables the start of the technical phases that will prepare the terminal for operations at the Governador Eraldo Gueiros Industrial and Port Complex (Suape) in Pernambuco.
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With a total estimated investment of USD 350 million, the construction of the Suape terminal is nearing completion, marking the transition into the next phase.
“This is a crucial milestone for the project, which now enters the final stage of building the terminal’s main infrastructure,” says Daniel Rose, Managing Director of APM Terminals Suape and Pecém.
The new terminal in Pernambuco is expected to improve competitiveness for exporters, while also reducing the cost of imported components and consumer goods. By expanding berth windows and enabling more vessel calls and services, the terminal will strengthen route connectivity for Northeast Brazil and provide more reliable access to global markets, potentially attracting new direct services to Far East and Europe. With capacity to handle up to 400,000 TEUs – a 55% increase for the port complex—the project will support regional economic activity and create new direct and indirect jobs. The project has already generated more than 2,000 direct jobs, alongside thousands of indirect job opportunities.
“With operations expected to begin in the second half of 2026, the terminal will have an initial capacity to handle up to 400,000 TEUs per year and will strengthen the efficiency, safety, and logistics competitiveness of Pernambuco and the entire Northeast region. This consolidates APM Terminals Suape as one of the most significant recent private investments in the region’s port infrastructure,” concludes Rose.
Fully electrified equipment
A key feature of the equipment at APM Terminals Suape is full electrification, eliminating the need for fossil fuel usage in operations and supporting the company’s global decarbonisation goals.
Operationally, the two ship-to-shore (STS) cranes feature a 70-meter outreach, enabling the handling of vessels more than 366 meters, the largest one in the Brazilian coast today. In the yard, seven rubber-tyred gantry (RTG) cranes will support safe, high-productivity container handling.
The STS and RTG cranes will be operated remotely from dedicated control rooms, improving ergonomics and expanding accessibility by enabling people with reduced mobility to perform these roles. By removing the need for physical access via stairs or lifts, the system bolsters safety and inclusivity.
The equipment also incorporates advanced technology designed to lift safety and efficiency, including precision systems that support accurate movements and help prevent collisions, protecting both cargo and machinery. The fleet is complemented by two reach stackers, one 16-tonne forklift, two empty-container forklifts, and 14 terminal tractors.