Pecém reports an 11% increase in first quarter cargo handling but is cautious about future growth

The Port of Pecém registered an 11% increase in cargo handling for the first quarter of 2020 (4.46 million tons), compared to the same period last year. This was driven by a 19% increase in exports to 1.39 million tons.  Imports also increased by 7% during the same period comparison to 3.06 million tons. Solid bulk was the most significant cargo type handled (51%), followed by containerized cargo (25%), general cargo loose (19%), and liquid bulk (5%).

In March 2020 alone, Pecém handled 1.57 million tons, a 9% year-on-year increase. “It is important to note that this movement in March was only minimally affected by the new coronavirus. This is because more than 90% of the entire cargo loading and unloading schedule had already been completed well before the emergence of this pandemic. According to projections and analyzes that we are doing, based on information from our customers and partners, we will possibly feel some kind of impact starting this April. Precisely because it was last month that the global production of goods and merchandise began to be affected more severely, including forcing the industry to reduce or even suspend its activities, decreeing collective vacations and taking other actions that will certainly directly affect movement port in the coming months. We need to be cautious at this point,” says Raul Viana, Port Business Manager at the Pecém Complex.

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