The development of the sea cruises market took place by signature of the pioneer leasing contract in November 1997 of an area of approximately 100.000 m² in the port of Rio de Janeiro between the PIER MAUÁ consortium and the Compania Docas do Rio de Janeiro . The administration of the ESMAPA efectively began only on June 01, 1999, associated to the arrival of foreing ships as a result of Constitutional Amendment nº. 7 from 1995, which opened domestic navigation to foreign ocean liners.

The administration in the five last seasons, turned mainly to the needs of its direct clients, led PIER MAUÁ S/A to reach high operational records, and it has registered very significant marks in the movement of cruise lines passengers either from cabotage ships or ocean liners vessels.

This situation is due, among several factors, to the terminal`s operational characteristics, and its costs which has been considerad extremely competitive in the world market, besides the several options the town and its sorroundings offer to the tourists, wich makes Rio de Janeiro a natural home port option in the Eastern South America Coast.

Besides the operations related to cruises reception in our town, PIER MAUÁ S/A company will soon develop a great enterpreneurial center in the remaining areas foreseen by the contract. together with the center, the initiative will include shops and ofices, as well as areas destined to entertaiment and cutural activities in similar paterns seen in other cityes such as Buenos Aires (Puerto Madero), Argentina, and New York, in the Uniteds states of America.