Enviro News Asia, Belém — The two cruise ships MSC Seaview and Costa Diadema arrived at the Port of Outeiro in Belém, Pará, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, to serve as floating hotels for COP30 delegations and participants. Together, the vessels will provide around 6,000 beds, with guest check-ins beginning on Wednesday, November 5.
The chartering of these ships is part of the Brazilian Federal Government’s strategy to expand lodging capacity during COP30, ensuring adequate, inclusive, and affordable accommodations for thousands of conference participants. This initiative reinforces Brazil’s commitment to hosting a sustainable and successful global climate event.
To support this, the Port of Outeiro underwent a comprehensive modernization project worth R$233 million, funded by Itaipu Binacional and executed by Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP). The redevelopment included the construction of 11 mooring dolphins, installation of 10 metal gangways, and expansion of the pier from 261 meters to 716 meters, doubling its capacity to 80,000 tons. A new passenger terminal was also built with modern facilities, including embarkation and disembarkation zones, service counters, and X-ray screening equipment.
The entire project was completed in just six months, an unprecedented timeframe for port infrastructure in Brazil. To achieve this, work was carried out 24 hours a day in three rotating shifts with dedicated teams.
Transportation between the ships and the COP30 venue, Parque da Cidade, will take about 30 minutes via official shuttle buses running continuously and free of charge. The 20 km route uses newly inaugurated BRT lanes and an express bridge opened in October, reducing travel time by half compared to before.
“I timed it, and today the transit time from the COP30 venue to the Port of Outeiro was recorded at 33 minutes and 27 seconds, including arrival at the reception center. During the official conference period, this is expected to decrease further due to exclusive shuttle lanes,” said Rui Costa, Minister of the Civil House.
“In record time, we are delivering to Belém, to the state of Pará, and to Brazil a port that is ready and equipped to serve as a gateway for international tourism in the Amazon,” said Jardel Rodrigues da Silva, President of CDP.
“This port will enable economic, social, and tourism development for the state of Pará and place Belém on both national and international tourism routes,” added Rui Costa.
“The Port of Outeiro will help transform the region and add significant tourism potential to a facility that previously operated solely for cargo. As a result, not only the surrounding area but the entire Northern region will benefit,” emphasized Valter Correia, Special Secretary for COP30.
With this infrastructure, Belém is now positioned as a new hub for international maritime tourism, boosting the hospitality, gastronomy, transportation, and local commerce sectors. The project represents a milestone in regional development and strengthens Brazil’s readiness to welcome the world to COP30. (*)
