Port of Pecém gains momentum with container growth and infrastructure works

The Port of Pecém, located in the state of Ceará, Brazil, has been gaining increasing prominence on both the national and international logistics scene. Between January and August 2025, the port complex registered a significant 37% increase in container handling, reaching a total of 444,999 TEUs. This growth has been driven by the consolidation of strategic routes, including two to Europe, one to the United States, and a new route to Asia, which accounts for 15% of the port’s total container traffic.

Announcements

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, highlighted that the performance of the Port of Pecém reflects not only the logistics potential of Brazil’s Northeast but also the importance of investments in port infrastructure to strengthen the country’s foreign trade. These investments are crucial to enhancing Brazil’s competitiveness in the international market and generating jobs at both regional and national levels.

What drove the increase in container handling?

The growth in container handling at the Port of Pecém can be attributed to several factors. The addition of a new route to Asia played a crucial role, accounting alone for a significant share of total traffic. Additionally, the port has attracted significant infrastructure investments, with expansion projects designed to enhance operational capacity and attract new businesses.

Check below a history of Brazilian container exports via the Port of Pecém starting in January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data and excludes cabotage, transshipment, and internal movements.

Container Exports in Long Haul via Port of Pecém | Jan 2022 to Jul 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

Maximiliano Quintino, president of the Pecém Complex, stressed that beyond the new Asia route, growth is also supported by the implementation of Berth 11, the expansion of Pier 2, and the construction of the Utility Corridor. These investments aim not only to increase handling capacity but also to provide logistical support to strategic developments in the region.

Implementation of new Asia route: Launched in April 2025, this weekly service cut transit times from 60 to around 30 days, accounting for 15% of container traffic and contributing significantly to growth.

Expansion of international routes: In addition to the new Asian service, Pecém has consolidated four regular container routes: two to Europe, one to the U.S., and one to Asia, broadening its global connectivity.

Growth in cabotage: Coastal shipping accounted for 63% of container traffic between 2022 and 2025, underscoring the importance of domestic routes to the port’s growth.

Port infrastructure improvements: Ongoing modernization and expansion projects have boosted operational capacity, enabling larger vessels to be received and cargoes to be handled more efficiently.

Integration with regional logistics projects: Initiatives such as the Storage Terminal and integration with the Transnordestina Railway have enhanced Pecém’s competitiveness, facilitating cargo flows and attracting more clients.

Adoption of efficient operational practices: The implementation of agile logistics processes and workforce training has helped reduce costs and improve the port’s competitiveness.

What is the importance of the Pecém Complex for the state of Ceará?

The Pecém Complex has consolidated its position as a strategic logistics hub for both Ceará and Brazil. Accounting for 79.8% of Ceará’s port activity, the Port of Pecém plays a vital role in the local economy, facilitating foreign trade and driving growth. Between 2022 and 2024, the port handled 53 million tonnes, showing progressive year-on-year growth and illustrating its rising importance in Brazil’s logistics landscape.

The local economy has also benefited from new investments, such as the Green Hydrogen Hub, which promises to further elevate the importance of Pecém by integrating new technologies and renewable energies, ensuring a sustainable future for the state and the country.

What are the investment forecasts for the Port of Pecém?

The Port of Pecém continues to advance its Master and Expansion Plans, with construction projects scheduled to begin in 2025. The implementation of Berth 11, with 350 meters of quay and 1.3 million cubic meters of dredging, will be the first of a series of structural works. The expansion of Pier 2, designated for liquid bulk handling, and the construction of Utility Corridors are key interventions for the future of the Complex.

These projects will not only improve operational efficiency but also provide logistical support to the industrial zone of the complex, including new ventures such as the Transnordestina and Supergasbras’ LPG terminal. With these investments, the expectation is that the Port of Pecém will continue to increase its global competitiveness.

Cabotage, referring to navigation between ports in the same country, plays an essential role in Pecém’s operations, accounting for 63% of total traffic between 2022 and 2025. This transport mode is vital for the internal movement of goods, especially in a continental country like Brazil, where distances between production and consumption centers are extensive.

Source: Terra Brasil Notícias