TCP registers 24% growth, with more than 1.5 million TEUs handled in 2024

For the first time, the Paranaguá Container Terminal handled over 10 million tons of containerized goods in a single year. The terminal’s operator reported a total throughput of 1,558,453 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in 2024, representing a 24% increase compared to 2023. This volume equates to 10.8 million tons of cargo, making the Port of Paranaguá only the second port in Brazil to surpass the milestone of 1.5 million TEUs.

To put this into perspective, the TEU volume handled would stretch 9,500 kilometers if lined up end to end—a distance comparable to the straight-line stretch from Paranaguá to Monaco in southern France (9,574 km) or 2.2 times the distance between Brazil’s extreme points, from Chuí in the south to Mount Caburaí in the north.

This remarkable throughput was facilitated by 992 vessel calls at the terminal throughout 2024, a 19% increase compared to 2023. Carolina Merkle Brown, TCP’s commercial manager for shipping lines, attributed the growth to the addition of new services. “Last year, TCP welcomed eight new services—six long-haul and two cabotage. With 25 weekly shipping lines, the terminal has solidified its position as Brazil’s largest service hub, reflecting TCP’s ambition to become a leading port hub on South America’s Atlantic coast.”

The terminal also celebrated the docking of the largest container ships operating in Brazil, measuring 366 meters in length and over 48 meters wide. Looking ahead, TCP expects further efficiency gains in 2025 with an increase in its operational draft.

In November 2024, TCP’s operational draft was deepened from 12.1 meters to 12.6 meters at zero tide, allowing vessels to carry approximately 400 additional TEUs per trip. “These recent commercial and operational milestones underscore the terminal’s critical role in Brazil’s trade flow. With the increased draft, we anticipate even stronger results for TCP and our clients in 2025, alongside the potential for further draft improvements later this year,” said Carolina.

Refrigerated Cargo Leads Exports

Meat and frozen goods topped TCP’s export list in 2024, with more than 3.4 million tons shipped. “Our investment in expanding the refrigerated container yard was a strategic move that positioned TCP as Brazil’s primary export corridor for meat and a global reference in this sector. With 5,268 reefer plugs, we operate the largest refrigerated yard in South America, offering greater flexibility and capacity for our clients. Today, more than a third of all meat exports from Brazilian ports pass through TCP,” explained Giovanni Guidolim, the terminal’s commercial, logistics, and customer service manager.

The handling of reefer containers reached a record 266,246 TEUs in 2024, a 7% increase compared to the previous year.

Wood and Pulp Exports Drive Growth

Wood exports surged 47% to 1.4 million tons, making it the second-largest export category, followed by pulp and paper, which totaled 974,000 tons—a 54% jump from 2023. Much of the pulp and paper cargo is transported to TCP via the railway network connecting Paraná’s western and northern regions to the port.

“TCP is the only port terminal in southern Brazil with direct access between the primary zone and a rail branch, offering our clients greater predictability, security, cost savings, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” Guidolim noted.

The KBT intermodal logistics project, launched in 2021, also delivered record results. This dedicated rail service links TCP to Klabin’s Puma II container terminal in Ortigueira via a branch operated by Brado Logística. In 2024, KBT handled 86,440 TEUs, a 33% increase from 2023’s 64,978 TEUs.

Imports Driven by Chemicals and Automotive Cargo

On the import side, chemical and petrochemical products dominated, with over 648,000 tons handled—an increase of 14%, largely due to the arrival of pesticides and fertilizers. The automotive sector also saw strong growth, with imports rising 12% to 562,000 tons, driven by parts and components for Curitiba’s industrial hub and surrounding metropolitan areas.

As TCP continues to invest in infrastructure and expand its operational capabilities, the terminal is well-positioned to strengthen its role as a critical node in Brazil’s logistics and trade networks.
Souce: TCP

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