Santa Catarina ports see record cargo throughput in first half of 2023

The ports of São Francisco do Sul and Imbituba, both under the management of the State of Santa Catarina, closed the first half of 2023 with a high cargo throughput and peak volumes handled in the period, totaling over 11.2 million tonnes.

The operational growth is accompanied by the completion of several infrastructure investments, such as recovery works, the modernization of the Pier 3 structure in the south of Santa Catarina, and the complete revitalization of the Bulk Terminal up north.

“The strategic decision to care for the logistics of Santa Catarina brings results like these. We are investing in our ports, airports, and roads to value those who work, granting good conditions for the flow of local production and guaranteeing more competitiveness to the state. I have no doubt we will achieve even more significant numbers,” highlights Governor Jorginho Mello.

“It is gratifying to see that the work being developed by state management, with a leading role for port activity, and the confidence of the private sector, are bearing good fruits and excellent prospects for future growth,” says Beto Martins, Secretary of Ports, Airports, and Railways.

Port of São Francisco do Sul

Cargo throughput at the Port of São Francisco do Sul reached an unprecedented 7.5 million tonnes. The number represents an increase of 21% compared to the first half of 2022, when 6.2 million tonnes of goods were handled. The record numbers were confirmed with the release of the June data (1.26 million tonnes of cargo handled), slightly more than what was handled in May (1.23 million).

In 2023, exports reached 4.4 million tonnes, driven mainly by grains (soybeans, 3.1 million, and corn, 930 thousand). Imports reached 3.1 million tonnes, led by steel products, such as coils, bars, steel sheets (1.6 million), and fertilizers (1 million).

Port of Imbituba

Imbituba added a record throughput of 3.7 million tonnes from January to July, which represents a growth of 6.4% in the total tonnage compared to the same period of the previous year when 3.5 million tonnes were handled. This year, 145 ships (+4.3%) visited Imbituba, primarily for export operations. The volume of cargo sent abroad increased by 33.7%, accounting for 52.1% of the total tonnage transported through the Port of Imbituba.

Solid bulks remain in absolute leadership in the port based in southern Santa Catarina, accounting for 83.1% of total movement and a 12.9% increase. Container operation comes next, accounting for 11.3% of the total tonnes that passed through Imbituba from January to June 2022. From January to June, the main cargoes transported were petroleum coke, corn and soybean meal, containers, salt, and corn.

Both ports expect to continue on an upward handling path, closing 2023 with new annual records.

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