Suape Port Reports Second-Best Performance in 46-Years

Suape Port ended 2024 with a total cargo throughput of 24.8 million tonnes, further cementing its status as one of Brazil’s premier port terminals. According to the Annual Statistical Report from the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), the Pernambuco-based port achieved a 3.6% year-over-year increase, marking its second-best performance since its establishment.

Operational Milestones

The container segment stood out as a key driver of growth, posting an impressive 23.4% increase and reaching 646,804 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units)—the highest annual volume ever recorded at Tecon Suape, located at Piers 2 and 3 of the inner port.

The following chart uses DataLiner data to provide a general overview of container exports and imports registered at the Port of Suape between January 2021 and November 2024.

Container Exports & Imports | Port of Suape | Jan 2021 – Nov 2024 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Vessel calls also saw a notable rise, with 1,628 ships docking over the year, up 7.9% from 2023. Among them were New Panamax-class vessels, the largest ships capable of transiting the Panama Canal, including the MSC Orion, which made its inaugural call on July 27. Adding to the year’s achievements was the launch of the long-haul Santana service in November, offering weekly connections between Suape and the Asian coast, with a focus on Singapore.

“Suape continues to deliver strong growth, reaffirming its importance to Pernambuco and Brazil as a whole. These results reflect Governor Raquel Lyra’s commitment to investing in port infrastructure. With the completion of external channel dredging, ongoing repairs to the breakwater, and plans to dredge the internal channel, Suape is positioned to attract new business and generate jobs for Pernambuco residents in 2025,” said Guilherme Cavalcanti, Secretary of Economic Development for Pernambuco.

Performance by Sector

Breakbulk cargo surged by 19.3%, reaching 656,915 tonnes and including goods such as industrial equipment, steel products, and fertilizers. Solid bulk cargo also recorded growth, up 7.9% to 1.22 million tonnes, driven by wheat, clinker, and petroleum coke.

Liquid bulk cargo remained Suape’s cornerstone, with 14.88 million tonnes handled by November, reinforcing the port’s national leadership in this category.

Expansion and Strategic Investments

According to Suape Port CEO Márcio Guiot, ongoing infrastructure upgrades have been instrumental in driving the port’s progress. “Our 2024 performance shows we’re moving in the right direction. Under Governor Raquel Lyra’s leadership, we’ve executed key infrastructure projects to ensure the port’s expansion, including dredging of the external and internal channels and repairs to the breakwater. These initiatives are essential for sustaining our growth and strengthening our position in national rankings.”

Another development set to boost operations is the expected completion of Refinaria Abreu e Lima’s Train 1 in early 2025, which is projected to significantly increase the handling of oil and derivatives—Suape’s core segment.

Rankings and Regional Impact

As of November 2024, Suape maintained its position as Brazil’s 6th largest public port and the Northeast’s leader in container and vehicle handling. The port handled 80,051 vehicles in the automotive segment, with a growing focus on electric and hybrid models from Chinese manufacturer BYD. In May, BYD delivered 5,459 vehicles to Suape, underscoring the port’s importance in this market.

With a strong performance and ongoing investments, Suape Port is solidifying its role as a logistics and industrial powerhouse in Brazil, setting the stage for even greater achievements in 2025.

Source: Suape Port

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