TCP Handles 1.5 Million TEUs, Reaching Milestone 16 Days Earlier Than in 2025

The Paranaguá container terminal, located in southern Brazil, reached the 1.5 million-TEU mark 16 days earlier than in 2025. The milestone was achieved during an operation connected to the Maersk Lamanai, a vessel measuring 300 meters in length overall (LOA) and 45 meters in beam, which sails on a service connecting Paranaguá with ports in the Mediterranean, Europe and Africa.

The terminal’s growth was driven by two consecutive months of record-breaking operations. In October, TCP set a new monthly record by handling 153,951 TEUs, surpassing the previous high of 152,347 TEUs recorded in September.

“Investments made in recent years have allowed the company to grow at a sustainable pace while maintaining Paranaguá’s competitiveness against terminals in neighboring states. Through efficiency, operational capacity and a focus on customized services and quality customer support, the terminal remains committed to helping its customers and partners achieve better results,” said Fabio Mattos, TCP’s Commercial Manager.

With the largest portfolio of regular weekly shipping services among Brazilian terminals, comprising 22 coastal and international routes, TCP recorded 844 vessel calls between January and October.

“The high frequency of vessel calls and greater number of services give our customers more flexibility and opportunities to negotiate with different global markets. The increase in the port access channel’s authorized operating draft to 13.30 meters is another advantage that shipping lines have been taking advantage of, allowing vessels to arrive at and depart from Paranaguá carrying more cargo per voyage,” Mattos explained.

During the first ten months of the year, approximately 545,000 containers passed through TCP’s truck gates, an 8% increase compared with the same period in 2025. On the rail side, the terminal received 1,128 trains, while cargo throughput increased 25% to approximately 1.34 million metric tons.

“TCP is the only port terminal in southern Brazil with a direct rail connection to its bonded area within the operating yard. This year, we have seen customers integrate this solution more extensively into their logistics chains. In 2025, approximately 16% of the cargo exported through the terminal arrived in Paranaguá by rail, while in 2026 that share has risen to 19%,” the Commercial Manager said.

In July 2026, TCP and Brado Logística completed the installation of a third railway track and new maneuvering areas within the terminal’s operating yard. The project added 757 meters of track, improving efficiency and increasing rail handling capacity.

Meat Exports Lead Shipments at Paranaguá Container Terminal

Between January and October, total export and import cargo volumes, excluding container tare weight, increased 5%, from 9.402 million metric tons in 2025 to 9.835 million metric tons in 2026.

Meat and frozen products led export shipments, totaling 3.334 million metric tons, up 7% from 2025. Chicken exports accounted for most of the growth, rising 17% to 2.173 million metric tons. This volume represented 47% of Brazil’s total chicken export shipments.

“Demand for chicken produced in Brazil intensified in 2026, and exporters have access to a wide range of shipping services at TCP to reach major global markets. Another advantage of the terminal is its logistics flexibility, allowing exporters to transport their products to the port by either road or rail. TCP also has the largest refrigerated container storage yard, ensuring efficiency, speed and security throughout the cold chain,” Mattos said.

Beef exports were another highlight, ranking second among the most-shipped products at TCP, with 509,000 metric tons. Pork exports increased 42%, from 21,000 to 29,000 metric tons.

With the growth in meat and frozen product exports, refrigerated container handling increased 5% to 125,595 units. The Paranaguá Container Terminal currently operates Brazil’s largest refrigerated container storage yard, equipped with 5,280 reefer plugs. Work is already underway to expand capacity to 5,500 plugs, with completion expected before the end of 2026.

Beyond meat and frozen products, wood and forest product exports rose 6%, reaching 1.186 million metric tons. Paper and pulp ranked third, with shipments increasing 8% to 899,000 metric tons.

Import cargo volumes also increased, rising 4% to 2.702 million metric tons. Through October, the automotive segment handled 507,000 metric tons of imports, up 8% from the same period in 2025. Consumer goods imports grew 20%, from 161,000 to 192,000 metric tons.

Source: TCP

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