Port of Pecém Posts Best Four-Month Period in Its History, with 37% Growth in Container Throughput

The Port of Pecém kicked off 2025 with the best first four months in its history, recording a 37% increase in container throughput. The terminal in Ceará moved 220,376 TEUs from January to April 2025, compared to 161,254 TEUs in the same period of 2024. Total cargo throughput at the port also rose significantly, reaching 6.67 million tonnes, a 12.4% increase over the first four months of the previous year.

“Our goal is to maintain this pace through the end of 2025 and grow even more in the coming years with new projects like the Tank Terminal and Transnordestina Railway. These figures reflect our operational efficiency, the expertise of our team, and the logistical flexibility of our terminal, which can handle a wide variety of cargo types and large vessels. Another important factor contributing to these results was the launch of the new route from China earlier this year,” said Max Quintino, CEO of the Pecém Complex.

Cabotage and Long-Haul Navigation Also See Growth

In the four-month report, cabotage operations grew by 12% year-over-year, with 4.2 million tonnes handled. Key imports via cabotage included minerals, cereals, mineral fuels, and cast iron, while exports featured salt, cast iron, plastics, and mineral fuels.

For long-haul international trade, throughput increased 14% compared to the same period in 2024. Highlights on the import side included mineral fuels, cast iron, machinery, and plastics. Exports focused on cast iron, minerals, salt, and fruit.

According to André Magalhães, Commercial Director of the Pecém Complex, the strong results underscore Pecém’s logistics adaptability to global market demands, as well as its commitment to regional development:

“The Pecém Complex is experiencing a remarkable moment of growth and development. The new Asia–Pecém route, in partnership with MSC’s Santana Service, and the increased movement of steel products and iron ore exports, were fundamental in achieving these record results.”

See below a historical overview of container exports via the Port of Pecém starting from January 2022. The chart was prepared using DataLiner data:

Exports via Port of Pecém | Jan 2022 – Mar 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Magalhães also revealed that the port is in talks to launch new mineral-focused export routes:

“We’re working to establish a regular route for this market, which is currently under study. These initiatives reinforce our strategy to expand and diversify operations, strengthening Pecém’s position as a leading logistics hub in the Northeast of Brazil.”

Source: Informativo dos Portos

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