Rio Grande Port reports over 460 tonnes of donations for flood victims in the state

In response to the devastating floods in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil has come together to provide substantial aid to affected areas. A nationwide collective effort has amassed hundreds of tons of donations from all over the country. To ensure the swift and safe delivery of these supplies, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), the Chief of Staff Office, the Ministry of Defense, and other federal agencies have established a task force to manage logistics by air and sea.

The Port of Rio Grande, the only currently operational port in the state, has already received around 460 tons of donations for flood victims. These supplies include mineral water, clothing, mattresses, blankets, personal hygiene items, and cleaning products. Upon arrival, the donations are transported to the public dock for storage and distribution by the State Civil Defense, Army, Navy, and other involved entities.

On top of playing a paramount role in the aid of flood victims, the Port of Rio Grande’s importance also stands unparalleled in terms of foreign trade in Brazil’s southernmost state. The chart below builds on DataLiner data to show Rio Grande Port’s container throughput (exports and imports), measured in TEUs.

Rio Grande Container Throughput | Jan 2021 – Mar 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Ports Minister Silvio Costa Filho emphasized the importance of the recently created task force in alleviating the hardships faced by the people of Rio Grande do Sul. “This task force is essential to alleviate the hardships that our brothers and sisters in Rio Grande do Sul are experiencing. Together, we will continue working towards the reconstruction of the state,” he remarked. “We remain committed to collaborating and strengthening the state.”

Ongoing Relief Efforts

The flow of donations to Rio Grande do Sul continues at a rapid pace. Portos RS, the administrator of the state’s port complexes, estimates that approximately 1,480 tons of materials will be transported to the port in the coming days. These shipments, collected from the Federal District of Goiás, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Bahia, and Pernambuco, are expected to arrive on two ships, at about 25 40-foot containers loaded with donations, totaling roughly 700 tons.

Portos RS President Cristiano Klinger highlighted the importance of collaborative efforts during challenging times. “We are experiencing one of the saddest episodes in the history of Rio Grande do Sul, and unity is our best path to overcoming this crisis. The delivery of these materials to the Rio Grande port complex showcases the empathetic nature of Brazilians. As a port authority, we are committed to making an effort not only for the ports under our administration but the entire state,” Klinger emphasized.

The efficient distribution of these items has been made possible through the coordinated efforts of government agencies and private companies overseeing the logistical operations. Many donations are transported using multimodal means. For instance, donations from the Brasília and Anápolis Air Bases are containerized at the Anápolis Dry Port, transported by train via the Norte Sul Railway to the Port of Santos, and then shipped via cabotage to Rio Grande do Sul. This integrated logistics approach ensures the timely delivery of those much-needed goods.

“All of Brazil is mobilized for Rio Grande do Sul. From north to south, we stand united for the reconstruction of the state,” affirmed Costa Filho.

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