Port of Ilhéus completes simultaneous cargo operation with nickel and magnesite

The Port of Ilhéus, in southern Bahia, handled 34,000 metric tons of nickel and raw magnesite in a simultaneous two-vessel operation, a move port officials say could help expand the terminal’s export cargo mix and attract new business to the region.

One of the highlights was the first movement in Bahia of raw magnesite produced by RHI Magnesita. The cargo originated in Brumado, also in Bahia, and is bound for China aboard the Liberia-flagged MV Nord Copenhagen, which is carrying 14,000 metric tons of the product.

Gilberto Rodrigues, area chief at the Port of Ilhéus, said the operation shows the terminal’s ability to meet market demand.

“The expansion of operations strengthens port activity and Bahia’s export logistics. This is another step that consolidates progress in the strategy to diversify cargo and attract new business to the Port of Ilhéus, strengthening its role as a driver of economic and logistics development for southern Bahia,” he said.

Paulo Esteves, a specialist in Latin American operations, said the expectation is to increase annual cargo volumes and expand the range of services offered through the terminal.

“RHI Magnesita is the largest producer of this ore in the country. National production is concentrated in Bahia, which accounts for 92%, with RHI Magnesita, Ibar and Xilolite, and in Ceará, which accounts for 8%, with RHI Magnesita and Ibar. Our expectation is to move 100,000 metric tons of magnesite per year, potentially reaching 150,000 metric tons from 2028,” Esteves said.

Luciano Britto, managing partner of port operations company Irmãos Brito, highlighted the advantages of moving this cargo through Ilhéus.

“No investment in new infrastructure was needed. The Port of Ilhéus is ready for bulk cargo operations, with full capacity to store and handle this type of cargo. Our estimate is that 20 direct jobs and 95 indirect jobs will be created,” Britto said.

Nickel cargo also moves through Ilhéus

In addition to magnesite, the simultaneous operation included 20,000 metric tons of nickel loaded onto the Danish-flagged MV Eco Nemesis. The cargo originated in Itajibá and is bound for Finland.

The simultaneous handling of different cargoes reinforces the Port of Ilhéus’ operational capacity and its use as a terminal for new logistics flows.

The operation also points to the potential to expand Port of Ilhéus cargo handling and broaden port services available in southern Bahia.

Source: Boca News

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