Port of Paranaguá breaks solid bulk operations record

The frequent rains during the first half of 2024 did not hinder the increase in solid bulk cargo throughput at the Port of Paranaguá, Brazil’s second-largest port. Despite activity halts during lousy weather, the port complex recorded a 10% increase in productivity.

In the first six months of this year, rainfall in the municipality increased by 7%, equivalent to 54 days of rain compared to the same period last year. In an interview with JB Litoral, Gabriel Perdonsini Vieira, the Director of Operations at Portos do Paraná, explained how operations proceed during adverse weather conditions.

“A large part of our throughput is structured for the export and import of bulk goods. Handling solid bulk is a big challenge. The cargo can be ruined if there’s any mold, mildew, or dampness. The holds are ordered to close when the ship’s command identifies a possibility of rain or high humidity. So, soybeans, corn, soybean meal, sugar, and even fertilizers cannot be handled during rainy times,” he said.

Gabriel also revealed the percentage of service interruptions. However, he emphasized that the suspension of cargo loading and unloading did not prevent port throughput growth. “These downtime periods account for around 30% of the port’s operational time being halted. We had this increase in rain, but even so, the port moved 10% more cargo,” he stated.

The chart below shows the grain export volume shipped from Paranagua Port between January 2021 and May 2024. The data is from DataLiner.

Grain Exports from Paranagua Port | Jan 2021 – May 2024 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

According to the Director of Operations at Portos do Paraná, the increase in productivity is linked to favorable days, compensating for rainy days. “We produce between 220,000 and 230,000 tons on a favorable operational day. This figure drops to 20,000-30,000 tons on a rainy day. We manage to compensate, to some extent, on productive days,” Gabriel Vieira explained.

Additionally, the director noted that the interruptions in solid bulk handling allow more attention to other port segments. “Some operations are not halted, like liquid bulk handling, which is done through pipelines, ensuring the quality of the cargo even in the rain. Containerized and general cargo operations, including vehicles and machinery, are not suspended. Thus, we can operate these segments very well during stoppages,” he highlighted.

According to Portos do Paraná, 16.8 million tonnes passed through Paraná’s terminals between January and May, which is 715,000 tonnes more than in 2023. The commodity with the highest growth was soybeans.

Another product that showed an increase in exports was sugar in bulk. According to the port authority, the cargo went from 1,086 tonnes last year to 2,212 in 2024, representing a 104% increase. Bagged cargo also maintained the same percentage, reaching 293,510 tons.

Container operations saw a rise in frozen meat throughput, from a capacity of 232,566 last year to 325,382 in the first half of this year.

“More than half of the national throughput passed through the Paraná port. It’s a very significant volume, showing the efficiency of our operations,” emphasized the CEO of Portos do Paraná, Luiz Fernando Garcia.

Source: JB Litoral

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