Brazil has a growing interest in Cuba's ports sector and, in July 2009, the government agreed to lend Cuba up to U.S. $450 million to rebuild the Port of Mariel, 50km west of Havana, as part of the growing diplomatic links between the two countries.

Work is being carried out by Brazilian construction and engineering conglomerate Odebrecht. Cuba's ports have received little investment in recent decades; much-needed development and reconstruction work has been waylaid following the dissolution of the country's trade network following the break-up of the former Soviet Union.