Container Throughput Breaks Record for the Fourth Consecutive Month at the Port of Santos

Container throughput at the Port of Santos increased in April, setting a new monthly record for the fourth straight time in 2025. A total of 459.7 thousand TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled in April, marking a 2% increase compared to last year. The year-to-date volume reached 1.8 million TEUs, which is also a record for the first four months of the year, representing a 5.6% growth compared to the same period in 2024.

According to Anderson Pomini, President of the Santos Port Authority, this is a result to be proud of, but one that calls for strategic planning:

“The numbers show that the Port of Santos remains the market’s top choice, and to ensure it continues to lead the country, we’re implementing capacity-expanding measures like the Tecon 10 terminal auction, the deepening of the navigation channel, and the construction of the Santos-Guarujá tunnel,” said Pomini.

Monthly Cargo Volume

The total cargo volume in April saw a 0.7% increase, reaching 14.8 million tonnes, compared to 14.7 million tonnes in April 2023. The soy complex (beans and meal) once again stood out, with 5.9 million tonnes exported—a 1.3% increase year over year.

Pulp also performed strongly, with 874 thousand tonnes handled (+3.9%). In the fuel sector, diesel oil and gasoil were the highlights, with 196.7 thousand tonnes moved, a 49.4% increase.

Regarding imports, the Port of Santos saw a 4.3% increase in April, from 3.4 million tonnes last year to 3.6 million tonnes this year.

Below is a historical overview of container throughput at the Port of Santos. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Container Throughput at the Port of Santos | Jan 2022 – Mar 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a de

Total Cargo

Total cargo throughput at the Port of Santos in the first four months of 2025 fell 2.4%, totaling 55.6 million tonnes. The drop was mainly driven by a 40.9% decline in sugar exports, from 7.2 million tonnes to 4.3 million tonnes.

It is worth noting that sugar exports increased by nearly 80% in 2024 compared to 2023. Even so, April 2025’s sugar volume was about 25% higher than that of April 2023.

In this context, total exports in April saw a slight dip of 0.4% compared to April 2024, with 11.1 million tonnes shipped. Year-to-date exports in 2025 total 40.9 million tonnes, a 3.6% decrease. Imports, on the other hand, rose by 1.1% in January–April compared to last year, reaching 14.8 million tonnes.

Foreign Trade

Santos’ share of Brazil’s total trade volume rose in April to 29.6%, compared to 29.1% in April 2024.

China remains Brazil’s top trading partner via the Port of Santos, accounting for 28.7% of all transactions. The State of São Paulo continues to lead in cargo origin, with 51.1% of total operations.

Port of Itajaí

The Port of Itajaí (SC), also managed by the Santos Port Authority (APS), posted growth in cargo throughput in April. More than 1.1 million tons of goods passed through the terminal, representing a 5.3% increase over the same month in 2024.

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