Brazilian Ports See Record February for Container Throughput, Government Reports

Brazilian ports moved 12.4 million tonnes of containers in February—the highest volume ever recorded. This figure represents a 9.26% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Of the total, around 70% (8.6 million tonnes) was handled in long-haul shipping, while the remaining 30% (3.7 million tonnes) was moved via cabotage (coastal shipping).

General cargo also grew, reaching 5.1 million tonnes—up 6.54% compared to February of the previous year.

Solid bulk cargo totaled 55.5 million tonnes, marking a 5.72% decline, while liquid bulk dropped 10.91% to 24 million tonnes. The National Agency for Waterway Transportation (Antaq) published these figures in a report released on Wednesday (April 9).

Among the standout commodities for the month were corn, bauxite, and fertilizers, all of which saw significant increases. Corn had the most notable rise, up 41.5% in February, with 1.2 million tonnes shipped. Bauxite followed with 2.7 million tonnes—a 13.09% increase—while fertilizer reached 3.2 million tonnes, up 13.05%.

Alex Ávila, Brazil’s National Secretary for Ports, emphasized that the Ministry of Ports and Airports is executing a strategic plan to meet the growing demand at Brazilian ports. “To expand the flow of Brazilian goods, we have a robust portfolio of projects. Over the next two years, we will auction 44 terminals at key ports across the country, with investments totaling R$15.4 billion. This will drive both economic and social development,” he said.

Port Performance

Public ports handled 35.5 million tonnes of cargo in February 2025, showing a slight dip of 0.48% year-on-year. Among the country’s top 20 public port complexes, the Port of Fortaleza (CE) stood out with a 55.8% growth, handling 0.4 million tonnes during the month.

Private Terminals

In contrast, private terminals saw a 7.18% decline in volume compared to February 2024, handling 61.6 million tonnes. The São Francisco do Sul Aquaviary Terminal (SC) led growth among private facilities, with a 37.44% increase and 0.9 million tonnes of cargo handled in February.

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