World Cup boosts TV shipments to Santos as cabotage demand rises

Mercosul Line, a CMA CGM subsidiary that operates cabotage services between Brazilian ports, has recorded a 25% increase in the volume of televisions carried since the second half of January compared with December 2025, driven by the World Cup. The Port of Santos is the main destination for the cargo, which is produced at the Manaus Industrial Hub and shipped in containers from the Port of Manaus, in Amazonas.

According to the company, about 80% of this cargo moves from Manaus to the Santos port complex, which serves as a strategic hub for the distribution centers of major consumer electronics brands. The remaining volume is shipped to other destination routes, including the ports of Pecém, Suape and Itapoá.

Competitive edge

Alexandre Souza, Mercosul Line’s commercial director for Brazil’s North and Northeast regions, said cabotage has become a competitive advantage for the industry because, in addition to offering lower costs per tonne over long distances, “the mode has a significantly lower rate of theft and cargo damage, a critical factor for high-value goods.”

Souza also pointed to sustainability as another competitive advantage of cabotage.

According to a study by Brazil’s National Confederation of Industry, container transport along the Brazilian coast can reduce net CO2 emissions from the country’s freight transport sector by up to 8.2%, aligning logistics operations with growing ESG demands from the market and consumers.

The executive said coastal shipping is not just an alternative, but a strategic choice to ensure products reach points of sale safely, predictably and with a lower environmental impact.

“Our expertise and weekly departures from Manaus allow us to offer the flexibility the market needs, but advance planning is essential for the success of the operation,” Souza said.

The company advises customers to book cabotage services in advance during seasonal peaks in demand, such as the World Cup. Companies interested in the mode should plan and contract the service at least two weeks ahead of time.

According to Mercosul Line, the main TV manufacturers in the sector already have long-term contracts with the company, ensuring a steady and successful flow for their operations.

Port of Santos

The Santos Port Authority was asked whether there had been an overall increase in cabotage vessel calls and cargo volumes because of the World Cup, but had not provided the data by press time.

However, A Tribuna found in online statistical records published by the port authority that the Port of Santos handled 4.8 million tonnes by cabotage in the first four months of the year, including 1.8 million tonnes of containerized cargo.

The volume was slightly below the 5.1 million tonnes handled between January and April 2025, a decline of 5.9%. Of that total, 2.1 million tonnes were containerized cargo, 14.3% more than this year’s volume. The website does not provide specific data on television shipments.

In addition, 325 cabotage vessels called at the Port of Santos in the first four months of the year, up 1.6% from the same period last year.

Source: A Tribuna

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