Southern Brazil ports post 44% growth in containerized cargo in February

Ports in southern Brazil handled 4.7 million tonnes of containerized cargo in February, a 43.98% increase from the same month last year, according to data from Brazil’s waterway transport regulator, Antaq, compiled by the Ministry of Ports and Airports. The result underscores the region’s importance to national logistics and comes amid a federal agenda of investment and modernization across southern port terminals.

In total, southern ports handled 14.4 million tonnes in February. Among the main cargo types moved were containers, soybeans, oil and refined products, fertilizers and corn. Exports rose 5.04% during the period, while long-haul cargo throughput increased 1.75%, indicating continued activity linked to foreign trade.

The Port of Paranaguá in Paraná state led regional throughput with 4.4 million tonnes, equivalent to 30.7% of all cargo handled in southern Brazil. It was followed by the Port of Rio Grande in Rio Grande do Sul, with 2.4 million tonnes, and Portonave in Santa Catarina, with 1.2 million tonnes.

Infrastructure and innovation

The performance comes in the context of expanding federal investment in port infrastructure in southern Brazil. In Santa Catarina, the Ministry of Ports and Airports resumed the dredging contract for the Port of Itajaí in April, with an investment of 63.8 million reais to ensure navigability and continuity of operations for the next 12 months, extendable by up to 48 months.

Also in Santa Catarina, Minister Tomé Franca recently signed a 72.8 million reais contract for maintenance and reinforcement of the breakwater at the Port of Imbituba. The project is aimed at improving navigational safety, boosting operational efficiency and reducing logistics costs in the port complex.

In Paraná, the Port of Paranaguá hosted this week the first 2026 edition of the Port Innovation Caravans, an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Ports and Airports and Antaq to encourage innovative solutions, sustainability and the modernization of port operations.

The federal government has also been expanding investment in the region’s shipbuilding industry and coastal shipping. In April, the Merchant Marine Fund approved 81 million reais for shipbuilding projects in southern Brazil, including the construction of an offshore support vessel in Santa Catarina, expected to generate 350 direct jobs.

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