What are the most significant cases or transactions that your legal team has recently been involved in?

Maersk Group already consolidated its position as a Logistics Integrator, delivering its customers´ products through the transport chain, including warehouses, depots and terminals. The role of the legal department is essential to support the company´s growth and at the same time defend its interests to avoid or mitigate legal risks. The legal team was fully involved in several different projects in the last 12 months, but the ones below are important and needs to highlight:

The recent acquisition of an UPI (Isolated Productive Unit) of Estaleiro Atlantico Sul (EAS), in the Port of Suape, Pernambuco, concluded in January 2024. The investment to acquire the UPI was R$455 million and the company already started the investment to erect a new container terminal in the area with final capacity of 700,000 containers, to start the operations by the second quarter of 2026. Several agreements were negotiated by Legal in this construction phase and the total investment will reach an additional amount of R$1,6bn. It will be the 1st totally electrified Terminal in Latin America (in accordance with the Group ESG commitments), will create more than 1500 direct and indirect jobs in that location and support the State of Pernambuco development. The legal team took part in all phases of the initial negotiation, licenses issuance, conclusion of the Transaction after 30 months of hard legal work and in the demolition/construction phases.

The construction of two sets of pushers and barges for 700 containers in Rio Maguari shipyard, located in Belém (PA), with delivery expected to be in 2026. The total investment in the construction is around R$ 460 million (price is confidential), will be paid with AFRMM credits and 30 crew positions will be created. About 300 workers will participate in the construction of the vessels. The legal team coordinated some fronts of this project, especially in the AFRMM payment model definition, negotiation of the construction agreement and obtaining registrations with the Navy.

Support the business to open a new warehouse for a multinational customer in Navegantes/SC. This facility accounts more than 20,000 square meters, is strategically located near Ports and the commercial agreement to distribute the whole products portfolio of this company was also negotiated by the legal team.

What would you say are the unique qualities required to be successful as an in-house lawyer in your industry?

The business segment in which I work is very specific and has few professionals in the national market. Based on my experience over the years, the professionals who make up my internal teams and colleagues in the market, I understand that 5 qualities are essential to achieve professional development: a) theoretical, but holistic knowledge – I mean that knowledge of the maritime or port segment alone will not be the only lever for success, without understanding the various nuances of civil law, private international law, accounting practices and/or financial issues; b) the curiosity that leads the lawyer to explore the practical world of business; c) have a differentiated interpersonal approach, which allows interacting with different areas and levels of the company; d) think about the solution and not just the problem; and e) finally, learn to make decisions, even in a risky environment.

How have you fostered a closer collaboration between the legal department and your business counterparts?

Creating partnerships between departments is a key factor in the company’s growth. Real examples of this collaboration range from on-site visits to business units, to ships, to Terminals, to learn about the details of daily operations. This helps with the knowledge of the lawyer who needs to draft a very specific contract, or a defense in a regulatory matter. Every quarter, part of the legal team visits or works in an operational unit of the Group, encouraging interaction with the company’s operations team.

Do you have a cause, business-related or otherwise, that you are passionate about?

I understand that education can transform people, especially those with lower purchasing power. I have a special preference for teaching what I have learned over the years and being able to contribute a little to young people in vulnerable situations. The company where I work sponsors the Formare program (from Instituto IOCHPE), which focuses on professionalising teenagers in the most diverse tasks, in our case, as logistics assistants. The employees themselves are the teachers. In addition to this role, I participated in the creation of the project in the company and in mentoring sessions with the minors chosen to participate.