Southern ports reach 108.4 million tonnes handled

Port throughput in Brazil’s Southern Region reached 108.4 million tonnes between January and October 2025, according to the Waterway Statistics published by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). The volume represents 7.41% growth compared with the same period in 2024, confirming the strong performance of southern ports.

Regional performance was driven mainly by solid bulk cargo, which totaled 65.3 million tonnes (+1.65%). Containerized cargo also showed strong growth, reaching 25.9 million tonnes, an increase of 23.48%. Liquid bulk handled 6.2 million tonnes (+10.18%), while general cargo totaled 11.0 million tonnes, up 9.13% year on year.

According to the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, the growth reflects joint efforts in management and infrastructure modernization across the region. “Southern ports have shown consistent performance, combining rising demand, cargo diversification and structural investments,” he said.

Busiest ports

The Port of Paranaguá (PR) led regional throughput with 55.2 million tonnes, accounting for 50.9% of the total and posting 7.61% growth. Next was the Port of Rio Grande (RS), with 26.3 million tonnes, a 24.3% share, and growth of 9.32%.

Below is a historical overview of grain exports via the Port of Paranaguá since January 2022. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Grain exports via the Port of Paranaguá | Jan 2022 to Oct 2025 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

The Port of São Francisco do Sul (SC) handled 14.9 million tonnes (13.7% of the total), recording 1.48% growth. The Port of Imbituba (SC) totaled 6.2 million tonnes (5.7%), with a 14.7% decline, while Itajaí (SC) handled 3.4 million tonnes, representing 3.1% of the region’s cargo, but posting a sharp 461% increase compared with 2024.

Cargo profile

The Southern Region showed a diversified cargo profile, with a strong presence of agribusiness products and industrial inputs. Containerized cargo topped the ranking with 25.9 million tonnes (23.9% share) and growth of 23.48%.

Soybeans totaled 23.0 million tonnes (21.3% share), down 8.0%. Fertilizers reached 16.2 million tonnes (15.0%), up 7.09%. Corn totaled 6.5 million tonnes, accounting for 6.0%, with strong growth of 165.56%, while sugar handled 6.1 million tonnes (5.6%), down 9.7%.

Operations

Long-haul shipping, which concentrates import and export operations, handled 93.4 million tonnes, up 6.43%. Coastal shipping (cabotage) totaled 6.0 million tonnes, growing 8.37%. Inland waterways handled 2.9 million tonnes, down 3.35%.

In foreign trade, imports rose 9.34% and exports increased 4.98%. Container transport grew 18.51%, while other cargoes rose 4.55%. In the domestic market, the transport of nationally originated cargo advanced 6.49%.

The minister also highlighted that the results demonstrate concrete returns from Federal Government actions. “Investments in dredging, land access and operational modernization are strengthening the competitiveness of southern ports and expanding the country’s logistics capacity,” he concluded.

Source: Ministry of Ports and Airports

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