Throughput on the rise
Survey by the Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários. Brazil’s ministry of ports and airports has reported that the country handled record cargo volumes at its ports last year. A total of 1.32 billion t of freight passed through the country’s hubs in twelve months. One port stood out.
A new record was set recently in the Brazilian port industry. According to the country’s ministry of ports and airports, total cargo throughput in the nation’s maritime gateways reached approximately 1.32 billion t in 2024, which “represents a new record in our hubs.”
The data referenced by the government originates from a survey conducted by the Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (Antaq, the national agency for waterway transport).
Growth in every cargo segments
The ministry said the sector made significant progress with both the transport of “organic as well as inorganic compounds.”
Nearly 8 million t of these goods were handled at Brazilian ports. According to the ministry, this corresponds to growth of more than 37%.
Another increase was recorded in the handling of meat and offal, which grew by around 9.5%, “reflecting the growing demand for food”, the ministry added.
“Shows the sector’s recovery”
The ministry’s representatives welcomed these developments in Brazil, stating that “this growth shows that the maritime sector has recovered and registered growing demand for transport solutions – one of the key drivers of economic development in Brazil,” according to Silvio Costa Filho, the minister for ports and airports. The ports are “absolutely crucial” for the country’s flow of goods, he added.
The positive development seen in recent years has also had a favourable impact on Brazil’s balance of trade – “not least because 95% of exports from the country are handled through our maritime ports.”
Salvador the king pin
The fastest-growing public port in Brazil last year was the port of Salvador. With a total throughput of 6.6 million t and an annual increase of around 41%, it recorded the highest growth rate. The port of Itaguai followed in second place, with growth of around 8.8%.
The ports of Santos and Paranagua recorded growth of around 2% and about 1.65% respectively, according to the ministry. It also highlighted the importance of container traffic: “It’s important to emphasise that container transport enables further time savings and reductions in operating costs,” it said.