Bahia ports record growth and consolidate a new cycle of development in the sector

The financial performance of Brazil’s federal port authority CODEBA reached a historic level in 2025. The company posted revenue of more than 291.2 million reais, the highest ever recorded since the state-owned port authority was created. The result was driven by higher revenue across the ports under its management, with the Port of Aratu standing out at 169.1 million reais and the Port of Ilhéus posting 16% growth over the period.

The annual results were presented on Thursday (April 30) during a meeting with shareholders. On the occasion, CODEBA President Antonio Gobbo said the figures point to strong growth and consolidate a new expansion cycle for the company, supported by rising federal investment in the port sector and by strategic management focused on efficiency, innovation and business expansion.

“CODEBA has never been in such a strong position. We have a 20% EBITDA margin. We generate net profit of 25 million reais a year. We will close the year with 417 million reais in cash, all committed to investments to ensure public funds are properly allocated, and a solvency ratio of 1.28. This is responsible management,” Gobbo said.

According to the company’s management, the results stem from a combination of public investment, strategic planning and the strengthening of human capital. Infrastructure modernization, digital transformation of processes and the expansion of the business network were key to the positive performance, alongside the quality of the company’s technical staff.

“Clearly, this management has been successful largely because of the team we have. The entire CODEBA technical staff has gone the extra mile to help us deliver these results,” Gobbo said.

Throughput and record budget execution

In addition to higher revenue, budget execution also reached a record. CODEBA invested 44.7 million reais, 31.66% more than in 2024, highlighting the strengthening of port infrastructure and the modernization of operating processes.

Operationally, cargo throughput remained strong. In 2025, the ports managed by CODEBA handled more than 13 million tonnes of cargo, marking the company’s third-best result on record. Of that total, about 9.5 million tonnes were imports and 3.5 million tonnes were exports.

The Port of Salvador led throughput with about 7 million tonnes, followed by the Port of Aratu-Candeias with 5.8 million tonnes and the Port of Ilhéus, which posted strong growth in operations, especially imports, exceeding 215,000 tonnes. The performance reinforces CODEBA’s strategic importance to national logistics and to the flow of Brazilian production.

See below for a historical series of long-haul cargo throughput via the Port of Aratu since January 2022. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data and excludes cabotage, transshipment and other internal movements:

Long-Haul Cargo Throughput via Port of Aratu | Jan 2022 to March 2026 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

“It is important to remember that we acted decisively to make this increase in cargo movement possible, by investing in infrastructure, training, paying port risk costs, acting firmly within the ports managed by CODEBA and ensuring responsible budget management,” said CODEBA Infrastructure Director Luiz Humberto.

Environmental management

Another key pillar of this growth has been sustainability. In 2025, the company made significant progress in environmental management and in adopting practices aligned with ESG standards. Its performance in the Environmental Performance Index showed consistent improvement, reaffirming its commitment to environmental excellence and regulatory transparency.

CODEBA also stepped up efforts aimed at mitigating environmental impacts, managing risks and improving occupational safety, while investing in certifications and programs focused on neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental issues became a structured part of the company’s strategic planning, aligning economic growth with social and environmental responsibility.

CODEBA’s Environment and Occupational Safety Manager Ricardo Bertelli said improvements to the Environmental Management Plans for the public ports are expanding environmental control measures and strengthening relations with neighboring communities.

“We are working to consolidate our path toward increasingly responsible and innovative port operations. The contracting of Environmental Management Plans for Salvador, Aratu and Ilhéus is essential to ensuring sustainable, high-standard operations, reflecting the current management’s unwavering commitment to environmental preservation and the well-being of surrounding communities,” Bertelli said.

Port security takes center stage

Port security also became one of CODEBA’s strategic pillars in 2025. The Port Guard played an essential role in protecting operations, ensuring the safe and efficient flow of goods and people.

During the year, the port authority recorded notable figures: more than 950,000 people had monitored access to port areas, in addition to 368,000 vehicle entries, ensuring fluidity under strict control. Efforts to combat illicit activity also stood out, with the seizure of more than 631 kilograms of cocaine, reinforcing the fight against organized crime.

Security operations also included 21 joint actions with other agencies and 169 aerial patrols using drones, expanding surveillance and response capacity. The Port Guard also provided 51 instances of internal support and carried out 54 urgent and emergency responses, highlighting an increasingly integrated, modern and efficient security system.

New challenges

Another major point highlighted in the report is the company’s institutional expansion scenario. Its biggest challenge in 2025, without question, was the transition toward incorporating the Port of Itajaí from 2026 onward, with a view to its federalization and the creation of the future Santa Catarina Port Company. Throughout 2026, the expectation is to share experience and strategies, while also implementing technological upgrades that will allow different regions and continents to be integrated, boosting competitiveness and promoting collaborative solutions with social responsibility.

Source: Informativo dos Portos

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