Southeast Brazil ports hit record 186.7 mln tonnes in Q3 on oil and iron ore surge

Cargo handling at ports in the Southeast Region reached a historic record of 186.7 million tonnes in the third quarter of 2025 (July to September), a 9.10% increase compared with the same period last year. According to statistics from the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), the performance was driven by the operation of Authorized Terminals (TUPs) and by strong demand for bulk commodities, especially oil and iron ore.

The main driver of growth was the Authorized Terminals (private), which saw its handling volume jump 13.60% to 124.5 million tonnes. In contrast, Public Ports (organized ports) registered more modest growth of 1.09%, totaling 62.2 million tonnes.

The region’s record performance was anchored by terminals specialized in commodities. The Petroleum Terminal (TPET/TOIL) in Açu (RJ) stood out most, with growth of 38.06%, reaching 17.8 million tonnes. The Waterway Terminal of Angra dos Reis (RJ) also achieved strong numbers, growing 25.34% (18.8 million tonnes). Together, these two terminals — focused on crude oil — were the main contributors to the increase in liquid bulk.

This growth represents a considerable acceleration compared with recent years, surpassing a level that had been stable. In the third quarter of 2023, handling reached 170.9 million tonnes, and in the same period of 2024, 171.1 million tonnes.

For the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, the historic record is proof of management focused on efficiency and logistical integration. “Growth in the Southeast, driven by the performance of private terminals, shows that modernization and investor confidence are placing Brazil on a new level of global competitiveness,” the minister highlighted.

Performance of Public Ports
Public Ports (organized ports) maintained their role as strategic pillars for the national economy, handling a total of 62.2 million tonnes in the quarter. The Port of Santos (SP) remains the region’s largest port complex, responsible for 38.4 million tonnes and registering growth of 2.68%.

Below is a historical record of long-haul container handling at the Port of Santos starting in January 2022. The chart was prepared with DataLiner data and excludes cabotage, transshipments, or other internal movements:

Long-Haul Container Handling at the Port of Santos | Jan 2022 to Sep. 2025 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)

The highlight in Santos was the dynamism of the domestic market, where cabotage handling grew an impressive 22.54%, driven by containers and other cargoes. The Port of Itaguaí (RJ), focused on iron ore, maintained its robust level with 17.3 million tonnes, presenting only a slight negative variation of -1.4% compared to last year’s strong performance.

Source: Ministério dos Portos e Aeroportos

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