Port of São Francisco boosts cargo throughput by nearly 40% over the past three years

For the third consecutive year, the Port of São Francisco do Sul set a new cargo throughput record in 2025, consolidating its position as Santa Catarina’s largest port for exports, imports and cabotage.

Throughout the year, the port handled 17.5 million tonnes of cargo, the highest volume recorded in its 70-year history. Cargo throughput has risen by 39% over the past three years, from 12.6 million tonnes in 2022 to 16.8 million tonnes in 2023 and 17.0 million tonnes in 2024.

“It’s one record after another. The world wants to buy products from Santa Catarina, and much of that flow passes through the ships entering and leaving Babitonga Bay, in the northern part of our state. We are investing and transforming several areas, and the Port of São Francisco do Sul is one of the best examples of this work. Since 2023, it has become Santa Catarina’s largest port and will continue to grow with the investments we are making, such as the removal of a rock that for seven decades hindered the berthing of larger vessels and, of course, the dredging of the access channel, which benefits both the public port and private terminals in the region,” said Governor Jorginho Mello.

The new historical record exceeds the 2024 result by 3%, when the terminal handled 17 million tonnes. Of the total recorded in 2025, exports accounted for 55%, or 9.6 million tonnes. Grains led operations, with 6.2 million tonnes of soybeans and 2.9 million tonnes of corn.

Imports and inbound cargo totaled 7.9 million tonnes, representing 45% of total throughput. This volume includes steel products transported by cabotage by private operator Tesc, which leases an area within the public port, as well as imported steel, together reaching 4.3 million tonnes. Fertilizers also stood out, with 3.1 million tonnes handled.

The following chart used Datamar-powered data. Readers may request a demo for more insights.

São Francisco do Sul | Exports + Imports | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

“The consistent growth in cargo throughput over the past three years is the direct result of work based on planning and structural investments. Resources were allocated strategically, prioritizing the maintenance and continuous improvement of our infrastructure,” said Beto Martins, secretary for Ports, Airports and Railways.

According to port president Cleverton Vieira, since 2023 operations have followed the planning set by Governor Jorginho Mello, with a focus on improving port infrastructure. Investments prioritized landside infrastructure, such as new truck scales, security systems and information technology assets, as well as waterside infrastructure, including maintenance and deepening dredging. He added that cargo-handling equipment was also refurbished.

“All this work, carried out jointly with other members of the port community, especially operators and dockworkers, has made a difference by ensuring a higher level of competitiveness for the Port of São Francisco and delivering this significant 39% growth over the past three years,” Vieira said.

The Port of São Francisco do Sul is Santa Catarina’s largest port by cargo throughput and ranks among Brazil’s 10 largest public ports for overall cargo handling. It is also one of only three public ports in the country certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. In 2024 and 2025, it received four awards from the Ministry of Ports for increased cargo throughput and strong management performance. The port is responsible for handling 50% of all steel imported by Brazil and 80% of the soybeans exported by Santa Catarina.

Source: Press Office – Port of São Francisco do Sul

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