Port of Santos Sees Cellulose Throughput Rise by 1.2 Million T in a Year

The Port of Santos processed approximately 6.8 million tonnes of pulp for export by rail last year, an increase of 1.2 million tonnes compared to 2023, when 5.6 million tonnes were shipped. As a result, rail’s share of pulp shipments rose to 91.84%.

According to the National Association of Railway Transporters (ANTF), pulp exports carried by rail at the Santos port complex increased from 86.08% in 2023 (5.6 million tonnes out of a total of 6.5 million tonnes) to 91.84% in 2024 (6.8 million tonnes by rail out of a total of 7.5 million tonnes). This represents a year-over-year gain of approximately 1.2 million tonnes transported by rail.

The following chart reveals the Port of Santos’ wood pulp exports between January 2022 and January 2025, according to data from Datamar.

Wood Pulp Exports | Port of Santos | Jan 2022 – Jan 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Across all Brazilian ports, ANTF reported that pulp exports rose from 9.24 million tonnes (54.66%) in 2023 to 10.60 million tonnes (60.74%) in 2024.

Paulo Oliveira, ANTF’s Director of Data and Self-Regulation, pointed out that “between 2023 and 2024, total pulp exports through Brazilian ports increased by half a million tonnes. However, during the same period, the Port of Santos saw twice that growth, with its pulp export volume rising by nearly one million tonnes.”

Oliveira attributed this performance to “the Port’s well-developed infrastructure, which is already benefiting from the renewal of rail concession agreements with Rumo Malha Paulista (RMP) and MRS Logística, as well as the improved operational synergy brought by the creation of the Santos Port Internal Railway (Fips).”

Investments

Investments are planned under MRS’s concession contract, which governs rail operations linking the port to the broader national network. However, efficient cargo flow also depends on upgrades to segments of the Paulista Network, operated by Rumo. Additionally, seamless integration between Rumo, MRS, and VLI with the Santos Port Internal Railway (Fips), formally established in December 2022, remains crucial. The Fips system has enhanced the efficiency of pulp and other cargo shipments at the Santos waterfront.

Source: A Tribuna

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