Giant shipping lines AP Moller-Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) could have a scrap on their hands as they vie to operate a terminal in Brazil.

Port companies have united through their industry association ABTP in an attempt to block the Danish and Swiss groups bidding in an auction to run terminal 10 at South America’s largest port, Santos.

The dispute is set to escalate in the coming weeks, the Valor daily reported.