Port of São Francisco tops steel throughput among Brazil’s public ports

In 2023, the Port of São Francisco do Sul secured the third spot among ports in Brazil for its steel product throughput, handling 3.6 million tonnes, trailing only the Tubarão Maritime Terminal, which handled 6.7 million, and the Thyssenkrupp Terminal in Rio de Janeiro, with 3.8 million tonnes processed last year. Antaq data also attest to Sao Francisco’s absolute dominance in steel operations among the 32 public ports in the country.

Of the total handled at the terminal based in northern Santa Catarina, nearly 2 million tonnes accounted for steel produced in Espírito Santo, delivered to the Tesc terminal within the Port, primarily supplying Arcelor Mittal. The remaining steel products, 1.6 million tonnes, were imported from China and distributed in the country’s southern region.

Leadership among public ports

The Antaq Yearly Statistics report also underscores Sao Francisco’s absolute dominance in steel operations among the 32 public ports in Brazil. The terminal was responsible for 60% of the steel products transported through these organized ports, totaling 6.1 million tonnes last year.

Following São Francisco is the Port of Itaguaí (1 million tonnes), with the Rio de Janeiro terminal in third place (517 thousand tonnes).

“In 2023, the Port of São Francisco saw an 11% increase in unloading operations of steel products compared to 2022 when 3.3 million tons were handled,” says the president of the Port, Cleverton Vieira.

He explains that last year, the total movement of goods in the Port grew by 33%, reaching 16.8 million tons, a historical record. Among the 10 largest public ports in the country, it experienced the most significant increase in cargo movement. Additionally, among all 32 public terminals, it achieved the second-highest growth percentage.

In 2023, São Francisco also led the growth in cargo volume among ports in Santa Catarina, with an increase of 33%, followed by Portonave (+23%) and Itapoá (+20%).

“Last year, San Francisco also rose to seventh place in the ranking of the largest public ports in Brazil, climbing two positions from 2022 when it was in 9th place,” said Vieira, adding that Antaq confirmed San Francisco’s status as the largest port in Santa Catarina in terms of cargo movement, surpassing the private port terminals Portonave and Itapoá.

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