Dubai-based ports and logistics player DP World has renewed its partnership with German liner Hapag-Lloyd for another decade, extending the long-running agreement between the two companies at the Port of Santos, Brazil’s largest container hub.
The new contract secures continued cooperation that began in 2014, ensuring Hapag-Lloyd’s vessels will keep calling at DP World’s multipurpose terminal well into the 2030s.
The renewal coincides with DP World’s $190m terminal expansion project, which will extend the quay length to 1,290 metres and boost annual handling capacity to 1.7m teu by 2026. DP World handled a record 1.25m teu at Santos in 2024 — up 14% year on year.
The upgrade will enable the terminal to accommodate larger ships and improve turnaround times for major customers such as Hapag-Lloyd, the company noted. Earlier in March, DP World also signed a long-term agreement with Maersk to expand container services in Brazil, underlining its broader strategy to lock in key carrier partners across the country.
“This renewal highlights the strength of our partnership and the key role Santos plays as a gateway for Brazilian trade,” said Fabio Siccherino, CEO of DP World in Brazil, adding: “With our upcoming expansion and new equipment, we’re ensuring we can meet growing demand while delivering reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.”
Hapag-Lloyd’s senior vice president for Brazil, Luigi Ferrini, said the agreement “reinforces our commitment to the Brazilian market and strengthens our global partnership with DP World,” adding that it would help improve service quality for customers in the region.
