Brazil port cargo throughput hits record, up 5% from January to November

Port cargo throughput in Brazil reached a record level and rose 4.97% from January to November 2025, totaling 1.28 billion tonnes in the first 11 months of the year, according to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, based on November statistical data from the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). If the current growth trend is maintained, total cargo handled at Brazilian ports — including exports and imports — is estimated to have closed 2025 above 1.34 billion tonnes.

“Over the past three years, we have been setting record after record in cargo throughput at Brazilian ports, driven by port infrastructure modernization programs and public and private investment,” Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho said. “If this growth expectation is confirmed, we will see another year of expanded handling capacity and greater operational efficiency across Brazil’s ports.”

Antaq director-general Frederico Dias said the results reflect sustained investment in the sector and effective regulatory policies. According to him, the positive figures highlight the resilience of Brazil’s waterway transport sector amid economic and geopolitical challenges and show that regulation has provided both investment stability and development incentives.

Looking only at November 2025, growth was even stronger. Cargo throughput rose 14.5% year on year to 118.2 million tonnes.

Public ports recorded a 17% increase in November, handling 42.1 million tonnes. The Port of Paranaguá, in southern Brazil, stood out, with 5.9 million tonnes handled, up 44.3% from a year earlier. At privately authorized ports, throughput totaled 76.1 million tonnes, up 13.1%. The highest growth rate, 55.7%, was posted by the Angra dos Reis waterway terminal, in Rio de Janeiro state, which handled 6.3 million tonnes.

By shipping segment, long-haul navigation rose 13% in November to 85.7 million tonnes, while cabotage increased 11.87% to 26.2 million tonnes. Inland waterway transport jumped 59.28%, reaching 6.2 million tonnes. Container throughput grew 7.18% to 13.8 million tonnes. Among commodities, wheat, soybeans and corn led cargo volumes during the month.

Source: Ministério dos Portos e Aeroportos

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