Port of Santos Sets Cargo Throughput Record, Cements Position as Brazil’s Top Trade Hub

The Port of Santos solidified its position as Brazil’s top trade hub, setting a year-to-date cargo throughput record from January to November 2024—the highest in its history for this period. Despite minor drops in some sectors, the port saw substantial growth in others, underscoring its strategic importance to the nation.

From January to November 2024, the Santos port complex handled over 167.1 million tonnes of cargo, a 6% increase from the same period in 2023. This robust performance sustains expectations for an annual record and further cements its position as Brazil’s primary logistics hub.

Exports totaled 122.9 million tonnes, up 3.8%, while imports surged by 12.5% to 44.1 million tonnes.

“The Port of Santos’ historic performance in 2024 reflects strengthened infrastructure, improved operational efficiency, and the trust of exporters and importers. These results bring us closer to achieving an annual record and reaffirm the port’s significance as a driving force behind Brazilian foreign trade,” said Anderson Pomini, president of the Santos Port Authority (APS).

Container handling at Santos also reached unprecedented levels. In November, the port processed 464,700 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), a 13.5% increase compared to November 2023 and the highest throughput ever recorded for the month. The port registered 5.01 million TEUs year-to-date, a 15.2% rise, setting another historical milestone.

The chart below compares container exports and imports at the Port of Santos between January 2021 and October 2024. The data is derived from DataLiner, a Datamar-powered intelligence product.

Santos Port | Exports & Imports| Jan 2021 – Oct 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Strong Performance in Key Sectors

Agribusiness products played a central role in the port’s performance. The main drivers were:

• Soybeans: 27.8 million tonnes.
• Sugar: 25.5 million tonnes.
• Corn: 14.1 million tonnes.

Products with the highest growth rates included:

• Sugar: Up 27.6%, reaching 25.5 million tonnes.
• Coffee beans: Up 50.3%, totaling 2.3 million tonnes.
• Meat products: Up 35.4%, at 2.4 million tonnes.
• Pulp: Up 10.6%, at 7.39 million tonnes.

Overall volumes declined slightly by 0.7% to 85.6 million tonnes in the dry bulk segment. However, sugar exports (+26.6%) and soybean meal (+5.4%) yielded substantial results. Liquid bulk volumes reached 18 million tonnes, growing 1.9%, with significant increases in gasoline (+49.3%) and diesel (+4.6%). Breakbulk cargo totaled 8.7 million tonnes, up 9.4%, with pulp accounting for 7.5% of the total.

In November alone, cargo throughput reached 14.2 million tonnes, a 10% drop compared to the same month in 2023, primarily due to reduced corn and soybean shipments.

Increased Vessel Traffic

Between January and November 2024, the Port of Santos welcomed 5,110 vessels, a 3.3% increase from 2023.

Contribution to Brazil’s Trade

The Port of Santos increased its share of Brazil’s total trade, rising from 28.5% to 29.0% during the period. The financial value of goods handled at the port reached USD 161.6 million.

China remained the port’s top trading partner, accounting for 27.3% of Brazil’s trade through Santos up to November 2024. São Paulo State led both exports and imports via the port, representing 53.6% of the total.

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