Public ports in Rio Grande do Sul surpass 42 million tonnes and post the highest throughput since 2021

Public ports in Rio Grande, Pelotas, and Porto Alegre handled a total of 42,373,432 tonnes between January and November 2025. This is the highest volume recorded since 2021, representing growth of 3.01% compared with the same period in 2024 and 2.30% versus 2023. The consolidated figures highlight the role of Rio Grande do Sul’s port infrastructure in supporting agricultural and industrial production and commodity exports.

According to Portos RS President Cristiano Klinger, the numbers reflect the regional logistics system’s performance even amid a global environment marked by adverse weather, trade instability, and market volatility. “This result is the outcome of a combination of factors: operational efficiency at the terminals, integrated logistics planning, and the performance of Rio Grande do Sul’s primary production, especially in grains and pulp. The figures confirm the potential of the state’s port system as a driver of competitiveness and development,” he said.

Port of Rio Grande

The Port of Rio Grande accounted for 40,884,088 tonnes of the total handled, representing more than 96% of operations at the state’s public ports. This volume represents a 3.67% increase compared with the same period in 2024. Solid bulk cargo dominated operations, accounting for 59.82% of total throughput.

General cargo represented 32.5%, while liquid bulk accounted for 7.6%. Products that recorded growth included pulp, with 3.8 million tonnes (+13.67%); soybean meal, totaling 4 million tonnes (+17.47%); and corn, which reached 787,000 tonnes, an expansion of 810% year-on-year. There was also growth in meat shipments, which totaled 877,000 tonnes (+5.4%), and sulfates, which reached 1 million tonnes (+40.66%).

Container handling at the Port of Rio Grande also posted strong results, totaling 934,691 TEUs through November, a 29.11% increase compared with the 723,940 TEUs recorded in the same period of 2024.

The strongest monthly growth rates were recorded in May (+49.45%), followed by January (+46.27%) and October (+43.48%), reflecting more vigorous logistics activity in the second half of the year.

Port of Pelotas

The Port of Pelotas, specialized in inland waterway navigation by barges, handled 1,171,480 tonnes through November 2025. This volume represents a 10.37% increase compared with the same period last year.

Operations were mainly focused on timber log handling, totaling more than 1 million tonnes, maintaining the terminal’s leading position in this cargo segment. In addition to logs, clinker (a construction material) totaled 98,700 tonnes, while soybeans reached 12,700 tonnes.

Port of Porto Alegre

By contrast, the Port of Porto Alegre recorded a 50.14% decline in cargo volumes. Between January and November 2025, the terminal handled 317,864 tonnes. Throughput consisted mainly of fertilizers (199,500 tonnes), wheat (49,700 tonnes), and salt (14,100 tonnes).

The reduced volume is directly linked to the recovery phase following floods that affected the region, as well as the dredging of the waterway, which is about to advance significantly. It is expected that once long-haul vessel navigation is restored, the port will recover its operational capacity and continue to play a strategic role in cargo flows.

Foreign trade

China maintained its position as the leading trading partner of Rio Grande do Sul’s public ports. Among exports shipped through the Port of Rio Grande, the Asian country accounted for 9 million tonnes, or 39.49% of the total. Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States followed.

On the import side, China also led, with 2.3 million tonnes, equivalent to 21.52% of the total. Argentina, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Canada completed the list of leading countries of origin.

Terminal operations

From January to November, the state’s public ports handled approximately 3,500 vessels, including ships and barges. The Port of Rio Grande alone accounted for 2,900 of these operations, maintaining its position as the main gateway for cargo flows in southern Brazil. Its infrastructure is distributed among leased terminals, public areas, private operators, and intermodal logistics systems.

Portos RS expects year-end figures to maintain the growth trend observed over recent quarters, reinforcing the strategic position of Rio Grande do Sul’s public port system in the national and international landscape.

“The figures confirm the strategic relevance of Rio Grande do Sul’s ports to the state’s economy. Even in a challenging scenario, the state’s port system delivered consistent performance, ensuring logistics efficiency, competitiveness for production chains, and security in the flow of agricultural and industrial output. This result reflects planning, continuous infrastructure investments, and integration among different transport modes,” said Logistics and Transport Secretary Juvir Costella.

Source: Government of Rio Grande do Sul

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