Record Growth: 7.9% Vacancy in Northeast Fails to Slow Logistics Expansion

With over 3 million m² of stock and a wave of new industrial projects, the region is leveraging rising consumer demand, booming e-commerce, and the strength of the Port of Pecém to position itself as one of Brazil’s most strategic logistics hubs.

Daniel Rose, CEO of APM Terminals Suape and Pecém

By: SiiLA News

09/04/2025

In recent years, Brazil’s Northeast has overtaken the South to become the country’s second-largest region in industrial warehouse inventory. According to SiiLA data, the region now totals 3.09 million m². Between 2Q24 and 2Q25 alone, 434,000 m² of new developments were delivered — a result of decentralization trends combined with the rapid growth of local consumer markets.

Vacancy currently stands at 7.9%. While higher than in the South (2.7%) and Midwest (3.0%), it remains below the Southeast (8.4%). This points to room for absorption, and major players are already positioning themselves. One of them is LOG, which announced seven new projects in the region, with deliveries expected between 2026 and 2027. The company plans more than 332,000 m² of GLA and investments of R$ 742 million.

“The Northeast is seen as a market with great potential and one of LOG’s most strategic areas. We’ve been mapping the region for over 10 years and have already invested R$ 1.5 billion here. By 2028, we plan to invest another R$ 1.5 billion, with 40% of our expansion focused on the Northeast,” said Marcio Siqueira, LOG’s COO, in an interview with REsource.

Siqueira notes that the lack of high-quality logistics infrastructure remains a challenge, particularly in densely populated areas. Yet this gap contrasts with the region’s economic momentum. According to Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV), the Northeast economy grew 4% in 2024, outpacing the national average of 3.8%. Pernambuco and Ceará stood out with growth rates of 4.7% and 5.5%, respectively.

These states also saw logistics stock expand significantly. Between 2Q24 and 2Q25, stock increased by 16.9% in Pernambuco and 14.7% in Ceará, according to SiiLA. “Fortaleza is a prime example: it is the city where LOG has delivered the most GLA in its entire history, surpassing Greater Belo Horizonte, where we began our journey 17 years ago,” Siqueira highlights.

Projects in the Northeast

Northeastern logistics expansion is being reinforced by major infrastructure projects. In Ceará, the Port of Pecém has posted record results. From January to July 2025, APM Terminals handled 389,024 TEUs — a 38.7% jump compared to the same period in 2024.

At this pace, Pecém is expected to surpass the 500,000 TEUs recorded last year, consolidating its role as one of Brazil’s leading logistics hubs. This growth is in line with Ceará’s industrial sector, which led national expansion in 1Q25 with a 39% increase, according to IBGE.

“This milestone not only demonstrates APM Terminals Pecém’s potential, but also reflects our ongoing strategy of investing in infrastructure, expanding capacity, and adopting new technologies. These pillars are essential to meet rising demand and strengthen logistics in the Northeast, connecting Brazil to the world through the new direct maritime route to Asia,” said Daniel Rose, CEO of APM Terminals Suape and Pecém.

In addition to container volumes — boosted by e-commerce, fruit exports, and cabotage — the port also grew 7% in total cargo handled, reaching 11.3 million tons. The diversification of goods, including cotton, meat, minerals, and granite, strengthens its strategic position, now enhanced by a direct route to Asia.

Operations

Even with vacancy rising over the past year due to the influx of new supply, companies continue to expand operations. In March, GOLLOG announced it would grow its presence in Ceará, driven by e-commerce demand.

According to Loggi’s Logistics Map, the Northeast ranks among the top regions in package shipping and receiving. While apparel and fashion dominate sales in the Southeast, South, and Midwest, the Northeast stood out in digital financial services — reflecting the rise of digital banks, alternative payment methods, and regional micro-entrepreneurship.

This demand directly influences real estate development, as Siqueira explains: “In Teresina and São Luís, for instance, our investment decision was driven by client requests. We’ve been studying these markets for two years and know that companies in e-commerce, food and beverage, and pharmaceuticals want to operate there but can’t find adequate facilities.”

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