Brazil waterway cargo volumes reach 1.4 billion tonnes in 2025

Brazil’s waterborne transport sector handled 1.4 billion tonnes of cargo in 2025, up 6.1% from 1.32 billion tonnes in 2024, according to annual figures released Tuesday by the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ). The data, covering January through December, were presented in Brasília as part of the agency’s 2025 Waterway Performance report.

Opening the event, ANTAQ Director-General Frederico Dias said the results reflect more than a short-term upswing. “This is another record for the waterway sector. It is not a temporary high, but part of a sustained growth trajectory that reflects the country’s institutional maturity and ANTAQ’s regulatory work,” he said.

Cargo profile

Iron ore remained Brazil’s top export by weight. In 2025, total iron ore throughput reached 425.8 million tonnes, of which 406.2 million tonnes were shipped in deep-sea trades.

Soybeans also posted strong growth, with volumes rising 14% year-on-year to 139.7 million tonnes. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) reached 5.8 million tonnes, up 10.4%, while fertilizer volumes climbed 10% to 49.3 million tonnes.

December 2025 volumes, finalized in February alongside the annual report, totaled 119 million tonnes, a 14.2% increase from December 2024.

Public ports

Public ports handled 497 million tonnes in 2025, up 4.5% from the previous year. Among the 20 busiest facilities, the Port of Santarém posted the strongest relative growth, rising 13.2% to 18.5 million tonnes.

The Port of Santos remained Brazil’s leading public port by volume, moving 142.8 million tonnes in 2025, a 3% increase from 2024.

Container throughput

Containerized cargo reached a record 164.6 million tonnes, up 7.2% year-on-year. In TEU terms, throughput totaled 15.3 million TEUs, a 10.2% increase. Of that total, 10.4 million TEUs moved in long-haul trades and 4.8 million TEUs in cabotage.

By cargo type and trade

Breakbulk volumes reached 65.8 million tonnes, up 0.8%. Dry bulk cargo totaled 839.7 million tonnes, a 6.3% increase, while liquid bulk volumes rose 6.1% to 333 million tonnes.

Deep-sea trade accounted for 1.01 billion tonnes in 2025, up 6%. Cabotage reached 303.7 million tonnes, a 3.4% gain, while inland waterway shipping posted the strongest growth, climbing 19.7% to 91.3 million tonnes.

Private terminals

Authorized private terminals handled 906.1 million tonnes in 2025, a 7% increase from 2024. Porto Sudeste do Brasil S/A, in Rio de Janeiro state, recorded the highest relative growth among the 20 largest facilities, rising 23.8% to 30.6 million tonnes.

The Ponta da Madeira Maritime Terminal, in Maranhão state, remained the country’s largest private-use terminal by volume despite a 2% year-on-year decline, handling 172.4 million tonnes.

Outlook

ANTAQ projects total port throughput will reach 1.44 billion tonnes in 2026, a 2.7% increase over 2025. By 2030, the agency estimates Brazil’s port sector could handle 1.59 billion tonnes, maintaining a steady growth trajectory.

Source: Antaq

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