Brazil eyes port terminal auctions despite legal hurdles

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Plans to introduce large-scale private investment in Brazil’s port sector – long overdue according to many carriers and shippers – have stut-stut-stuttered along since the government passed the necessary legislation back in 2012. The major obstacle was some 20 objections from the federal audit court, all but four of which have now been satisfied. Ports minister Antonio Henrique Silveira told Reuters that he expects 159 terminals to be leased to private operators this year, allowing the government to trouser a cool $7bn.