Port of Itaqui leads cargo growth among northeastern ports in 2025

Through strategic management, the Port of Itaqui recorded the highest growth in cargo handling among northeastern ports between January and August this year—an 8.45% increase compared with the same period last year. According to data from the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq), this performance contributed to a 1.14% rise in the total volume handled by northeastern ports, which together moved 213.9 million tonnes—the highest since 2021.

In total, Itaqui handled 24.9 million tonnes from January to August, mainly consisting of grain and fuel operations.

See below a history of long-haul cargo movement via the Port of Itaqui. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data and excludes cabotage, transshipment, and other internal movements:

Long-Haul Cargo Movement via Port of Itaqui | Jan 2022 to Sep 2025 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

“This performance in the Northeast region is above the national average and proves that the investments being made are producing concrete results. At Itaqui, we are modernizing, expanding our infrastructure, and working to reach new milestones in Maranhão’s development,” said the port’s president, Oquerlina Costa.

Soybeans were the main driver of growth, rising nearly 17% year over year to 16.1 million tonnes. Of this volume, the Port of Itaqui alone accounted for 12.5 million tonnes. With its modern and strategic infrastructure, Itaqui has become the main export route for agricultural production from southern Maranhão and also serves neighboring states such as Piauí, Tocantins, Mato Grosso, Bahia, and Pará.

The choice of the Port of Itaqui as an export route is a direct result of its highly integrated infrastructure. With efficient rail access through the North-South Railway, Carajás Railway, and Transnordestina, as well as deep and specialized berths, the port offers logistical advantages that significantly reduce cost per tonne handled, making it a competitive and preferred option for large-scale shipments.

Continuous growth
To sustain its rapid growth, the Port of Itaqui is investing in expansion projects. One of the main works underway is the construction of Berth 98, which will increase the terminal’s operational capacity by 8 million tonnes. The design of this new berth’s operations was planned to democratize producers’ access to export logistics, promoting a more open, efficient, and decentralized structure aligned with market demands and the region’s logistical potential.

Source: Governo do Maranhão

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