Northeast Brazil handles over 65 million tonnes at public ports in nine months

In the waterway sector, the Northeast handled 65.1 million tonnes at the region’s public ports in the first nine months of the year, according to the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). The cargo volume shows a significant increase in solid bulk, up 3.6%, and consistent growth in containers, up 2.3%, which have been gaining importance in the port matrix of the Northeast.

From January to September, soybeans in particular took the lead, reaching 13.9 million tonnes and becoming the region’s main commodity, an increase of more than 11% compared with last year. The performance boosted the Port of Itaqui (MA), which handled 28.3 million tonnes and grew by 8.73%, consolidating itself as the port with the highest volume in the Northeast and as one of the main export corridors in Brazil.

Meanwhile, Suape (PE), despite a drop in total volume driven by a decline in liquid bulk, maintained a prominent position. The port again led container movements in the Northeast, reaching 5.5 million tonnes, reinforcing its role as a logistics hub for long-haul navigation and distribution across the country.

See below a history of long-haul container movements via the Port of Suape starting January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data and excludes cabotage, transshipment, and other internal movements:

Long-haul Container Movements via the Port of Suape | Jan 2022 to Sep 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, highlighted that the results confirm the structural strength of the Northeast and the impact of the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments. “The Northeast plays a strategic role for Brazil and continues to advance in cargo diversification and port modernization. We are working to expand efficiency, competitiveness, and quality of port services, ensuring more safety for the sector and strengthening the logistics corridors that drive the region’s development,” he said.

In addition to Itaqui and Suape, the ports of Salvador (BA), with 4.6 million tonnes, Aratu (BA), 4.5 million, and Fortaleza (CE), 3.6 million, recorded moderate variations, in line with the performance of liquid and petrochemical cargo. Highlights over the nine months of the year show that solid bulk grew 3.63%, containers advanced 2.32%, and general cargo maintained an increase of 1.30%.

The Ministry of Ports and Airports continues to implement actions to modernize regional port infrastructure, expand terminal capacity and ensure regulatory predictability, with a focus on logistics efficiency, cost reduction and fostering economic development in the Northeast.

Source: Ministério dos Portos e Aeroportos

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