DIALOGUES ON CHINA’S BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE

PROPOSALS FOR THE PRIVATE-USE TERMINAL AT PORTO SÃO LUÍS, MARANHÃO

Abstract

This article examines the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), focusing on its environmental implications and the potential for its expansion into the state of Maranhão, Brazil, particularly through the Private Use Terminal (TUP) of São Luís. It advances the hypothesis that the São Luís TUP (currently under construction), supported by Chinese capital, may constitute a strategic node in the BRI’s projected expansion into Brazil. To this end, it was necessary to rely theoretically on some authors: Hendler (2021), Kroetz; Germanò, (2022), Wang (2023), Ribeiro (2024), as well as data compiled by the Brazil–China Business Council (2022; 2023) and the Maranhão Institute of Socioeconomic Studies (2022). The analyses indicate that, although Brazil and the state of Maranhão have not yet formalized their accession to the initiative, the São Luís Private Use Terminal (TUP) demonstrates geoeconomic potential for integration into the route, given its strategic location and port infrastructure. However, the need for a critical debate on the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts arising from such integration is emphasized. This exploratory and analytical study seeks to contribute to reflections on the conditions that may enable the consolidation of the BRI within the territory of Maranhão.