Brazilian ports set a record, with Santos standing out in cargo handling

There was record containerized cargo handling in 2025, reaching 164.6 million tonnes, a 7.2% increase compared to 2024 (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

Brazilian ports handled 1.4 billion tonnes of cargo throughout last year. The volume represents a record and a 6.1% increase compared to 2024, which recorded 1.32 billion tonnes. The data come from Desempenho Aquaviário 2025, presented this Tuesday (10) by Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (Antaq).

Last year closed with strong performance in December. Cargo handling rose 14.2% compared to the same month of the previous year, totaling 119 million tonnes in 30 days, signaling an upward trend for 2026.

“It is another record for the waterway sector. This is not a one-off positive moment, but rather a growth trajectory for the sector that reflects the Country’s institutional maturity and the performance of Antaq”, said Antaq Director-General Frederico Dias. “By disclosing these figures, the Agency reinforces its technical role in providing useful and reliable information so that the private sector can plan and make the best decisions”, he added.

Containers

There was also record handling of containerized cargo: 164.6 million tonnes, a 7.2% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

In TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), throughput reached 15.3 million, representing growth of 10.2%. Of this total, 10.4 million were handled in long-haul shipping (international navigation between countries) and 4.8 million in cabotage (domestic coastal shipping within Brazil).

Regarding breakbulk cargo, throughput reached 65.8 million tonnes, an increase of 0.8%. Solid bulk cargo totaled 839.7 million tonnes (up 6.3%), and liquid bulk reached 333 million tonnes (a 6.1% increase compared to 2024).

The figures show a scenario of consistent growth over time. Over the past 15 years, cargo handling in Brazil has grown by 67%, rising from 840 million to the current level of 1.4 billion tonnes.

Policy

The National Secretary of Ports, Alex Ávila, highlighted the performance of the port sector for the economy and the national productive sector, especially agribusiness.

“This record is not the result of chance, but rather the outcome of an environment of stability and legal certainty that we have built.”

TUPs show marked growth

Data from the Antaq 2025 Yearbook show stronger growth in handling at Terminais de Uso Privado (TUPs), up 7% (906.1 million tonnes), while public ports recorded a 4.5% increase (497 million tonnes).

Port of Santos remained the public facility with the highest cargo throughput in the Country. In 2025, the Santos quay handled 142.8 million tonnes, a volume 3% higher than that recorded in 2024.

Commodities

Among commodities, agribusiness continues as the absolute leader. Soybeans recorded significant growth of 14%, totaling 139.7 million tonnes shipped. At the other end of the chain, imports of fertilizers and soil nutrients increased by 10% (49.3 million tonnes), signaling that producers are increasing investments in preparing upcoming harvests. Another highlight was the handling of petroleum gas, which rose 10.4%, totaling 5.8 million tonnes.

Farewell

At the end of the event presenting the figures, a farewell ceremony was held for Director Flávia Takafashi. She will officially leave the position on the 18th of this month. The lawyer, who holds a Master’s degree in Law, will return to her original position as a waterway transport regulation specialist after five years in leadership.

Flávia is the first woman appointed by the Presidency of the Republic to serve on the board of Antaq. “I bid farewell with gratitude from the position of Director of Antaq, an agency that represents so much for Brazil and for the Country’s economy. The port and waterway sector is a vector of competitiveness, integration, and sovereignty, capable of connecting Brazil to the world and generating economic and social development on a national scale.”