Centrorochas advances negotiations for the creation of a logistics hub in the United Arab Emirates

Emirates Meeting with Abu Dhabi Ports executive strengthens the internationalization plan of the Brazilian natural stone sector

The Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas) continues to expand its global outreach in defense of Brazilian natural stone. On October 1, the association’s vice president, Fábio Cruz, met with Ilson Hulle, Executive Director at Abu Dhabi Ports (AD Ports Group), to discuss the establishment of an advanced logistics and trade hub for Brazilian natural stone companies in the United Arab Emirates.

During the meeting, the parties discussed strategic opportunities to consolidate the presence of Brazilian stone in the region, given the strong growth of the construction sector in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia. According to Hulle, demand for premium natural stone is steadily rising, driven by large-scale infrastructure and urban development projects.

Although Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of natural stone, renowned for its geological diversity and high-quality finishing, much of the material still reaches the Middle East through indirect routes via Europe and Asia. “This reduces the added value for both suppliers and end clients. We want to change this scenario with direct distribution channels,” highlighted Fábio Cruz.

With continuous investments in port infrastructure, Khalifa Port, considered Abu Dhabi’s new superport, has positioned itself as a reference logistics hub in the region, which could support the creation of an advanced center for the storage and distribution of Brazilian stone. “Abu Dhabi is not just a market; it is a strategic gateway for Brazilian exporters to the Gulf,” reinforced the AD Ports executive.

Another highlight of the conversation was MSC’s recent announcement of a new direct maritime route between Rio de Janeiro and Abu Dhabi, scheduled to launch in October. The new line is expected to reduce costs and lead times, creating a more competitive scenario for the Brazilian sector.

Next Steps

A joint agenda will take place in November during Centrorochas’ next mission to the UAE, on the occasion of The Big 5 Global. With support from ApexBrasil, the association will hold a Business Roundtable between Brazilian companies and local buyers. A videoconference with MSC is also planned to provide technical details of the new route, with the participation of the company’s line director, João Neto.

In addition, the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Centrorochas and Abu Dhabi Ports was discussed, with support from the Emirate’s Investment Office. The goal is to develop a robust business plan enabling the establishment of a logistics and trade hub for Brazilian companies in the sector, consolidating Brazilian natural stone as a benchmark in the Arab market.