Bahia public ports underpin Brazil’s record port cargo volumes

Cargo throughput at Brazilian ports hit a record and grew 4.97% year on year between January and November 2025, reaching 1.28 billion tonnes in the first 11 months of the year, according to data from the Ministry of Ports and Airports. Public ports in the state of Bahia handled 11.9 million tonnes (Mt) over the period. If the current growth trend is maintained, total port activity in Brazil — including exports and imports — is estimated to have closed 2025 above 1.34 billion tonnes.

“Over the past three years, Brazilian ports have been breaking record after record in cargo throughput, driven by the port infrastructure modernization program and public and private investments. If this growth expectation is confirmed, we will see another year of expanded capacity and higher operational efficiency at Brazilian ports,” said Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho.

The president of the Federal Port Authority of Bahia (Codeba) detailed the operations at the state’s ports that have been supporting economic activity and national development. “At the Port of Salvador alone, 6.3 Mt were handled between January and November, followed by Aratu, with 5.4 Mt, and the Port of Ilhéus, which moved more than 186,000 tonnes, generating revenues of R$284 million for Bahia. Once December throughput data are consolidated, these figures will increase,” he said.

For Antaq Director-General Frederico Dias, the results reflect investments in the sector and effective regulatory policies. “The positive results demonstrate the resilience of the waterway sector in the face of economic and geopolitical challenges and show that the regulation promoted by Antaq not only provides the stability required for investments, but also fosters development. As I have said, when the sector performs well, it means the agency is fulfilling its role properly,” he noted.

Looking only at November 2025, growth was even stronger, at 14.5%, with total cargo throughput of 118.2 million tonnes.

At public ports, throughput in November rose 17% to 42.1 million tonnes. The Port of Paranaguá (PR) stood out, handling 5.9 million tonnes, an increase of 44.3%. At authorized ports, throughput reached 76.1 million tonnes, up 13.1%. The largest increase, at 55.7%, was recorded at the Angra dos Reis Waterway Terminal (RJ), with 6.3 million tonnes handled.

According to the survey, long-haul navigation grew 13% in November, reaching 85.7 million tonnes, while cabotage rose 11.87% to 26.2 million tonnes. Inland navigation posted a 59.28% increase, totaling 6.2 million tonnes. Containerized cargo grew 7.18% in November, to 13.8 million tonnes. Among commodities, wheat, soybeans and corn led throughput growth.

With information from Codeba and the Ministry of Ports and Airports.

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