Container throughput in Suape increased by 6.5% in 2023

The Port of Suape, a key player in containerized cargo in Brazil’s Northeast, and the sixth busiest public dock in the country, continues to exceed expectations. According to the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq)’s recent report on 2023 cargo operations, the Pernambuco-based port handled 523,956 TEUs, up 6.5% from a year prior. December was the port’s busiest month, with 51,261 TEUs, representing 24.1% of Suape’s total container traffic.

Suape is set to nearly double its container handling capacity by the second half of 2026 with the addition of a new container terminal. Currently, operations are solely managed by Tecon Suape. The new 50-hectare terminal, adjacent to the Atlântico Sul Shipyard, will be operated by APM Terminals, a subsidiary of A.P. Moller-Maersk, a global industry leader. Construction is slated to commence in the coming weeks.

In November 2023, Suape celebrated its 45th anniversary. That month, the port reported notable increases in its vehicle hub (up by 42% in units) and bagged sugar exports (up by 38%) to various states and countries. Throughout 2023, 1,509 vessels of various sizes and origins docked at the port, representing a 0.2% increase compared to the previous year. The total cargo throughput amounted to 23,982,451 tons.

See below the movement of container exports and imports recorded at the Port of Suape between Jan 2019 and Dec 2023. The data is from DataLiner.

Container Movement at Suape Port | Jan 2019 – Dec 2023 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Strategically located in the Northeast and boasting deep-water access, Suape enjoys ideal conditions for distributing cargo via cabotage (domestic maritime transport between ports), road, and rail (with the Transnordestina railway project underway). Although liquid bulk cargo (petroleum derivatives) accounted for most of the operations, at 16,515,104 tons, there was a 7% decrease compared to 2022.

World-class Vessel

On March 11, 2023, Suape achieved a historic milestone when the world-class giant vessel APL Dublin, flying the flag of Singapore, docked in its waters. Measuring 347.29 meters in length and 45.28 meters in width, with a capacity to transport 10,700 TEUs, the vessel handled 1,500 containers at the Tecon Suape for several days.

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