São Sebastião Port ramps up live cattle exports despite protests

The Port of São Sebastião, on the northern coast of São Paulo state, is significantly expanding live cattle exports this year, even as environmental and animal welfare activists intensify opposition to the trade.

At least 17 live cattle shipments to Turkey and Morocco are scheduled between January and May, reinforcing the port’s position as one of Brazil’s leading hubs for live animal exports. The facility alternates livestock operations with bulk cargo such as sugar, barley and malt.

According to data compiled by the activist group “Carga Viva Não” (“No Live Cargo”), 84% of local residents oppose live animal exports through the port.

Surge in Shipments

Seventeen livestock sailings are scheduled in the first five months of 2026, handled by shipping agents including Wilson Sons, Argo Agenciamento Marítimo and Sea Side, which represent vessel owners and manage port logistics and documentation.

The increase in traffic has forced some vessels to anchor in Caraguatatuba Bay, several miles from Martim de Sá beach. Traditionally, ships waited in the São Sebastião channel near Barequeçaba beach before loading.

Large livestock carriers such as S. Aras and WMF Express dock at the port to load between 5,000 and more than 20,000 head of cattle per voyage. The animals are transported by truck from farms in Minas Gerais and inland São Paulo via the Tamoios highway. Exporters say transport and loading comply with federal agricultural standards.

Last year, São Sebastião exported 150,000 head of cattle, and volumes are expected to rise further in 2026. The first shipment this year took place on January 6, when 5,000 cattle were loaded onto the WMF Express. Additional shipments followed aboard vessels including Hajh Amina, Dalal F, Maysora, Queensland, North Star, Ghena, Madonna and others through May.

Record National Revenues

Brazil’s live cattle exports generated $208.7 million in January 2026, up 158% from $80.2 million a year earlier, according to industry data cited by Farmnews. The figure marks a record for the month. For comparison, January revenues totaled $19.9 million in 2024 and $10.5 million in 2023.

Activists Step Up Pressure

Animal rights and environmental groups continue to stage protests at the city council, the port and throughout São Sebastião. Activists argue that live exports raise environmental concerns and animal welfare issues.

The movement has petitioned local prosecutors and courts seeking to block live animal exports from the port. Organizers have also hosted online forums featuring researchers and specialists advocating for a nationwide ban.

Environmental Recognition

The controversy comes as the port recently earned environmental recognition. São Sebastião ranked second among Brazilian ports handling up to 5 million tons annually in the 2025 Antaq Awards, which assess environmental management, operational efficiency and governance.

According to Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq), the Environmental Performance Index considers criteria such as emissions control, waste management and sustainability practices.

Port officials say environmental performance reflects long-term planning. The port was the first in Brazil to adopt an international whale protection protocol and recorded 695 cetacean sightings in 2025, a 72% increase from the previous year. It also holds a Silver Seal from Brazil’s GHG Protocol Program and placed second in the ESG Performance category for public ports at the XII Cidesport awards.

Expansion Plans Ahead

Alongside its environmental agenda, São Sebastião is preparing for a major expansion through the planned concession of Terminal SSB01, a federal-state partnership project scheduled for auction in the second half of 2026.

The project calls for approximately BRL 2.5 billion (about $500 million) in private investment, covering 426,000 square meters and including a pier with two berths. Construction is expected to generate around 5,000 jobs, with 1,300 permanent positions after completion.

If completed, the expansion could increase the port’s capacity by up to 187%, reaching 4.3 million tons of bulk cargo annually and up to 1.3 million containers per year. Officials say the project could position São Sebastião as a complementary alternative to São Paulo state’s more congested ports, easing logistics bottlenecks and redistributing container traffic.

Source: Notícias das Praias