Port of Santos handles 92.8 million tons of cargo in the first half of the year

Containerized cargo accounted for the largest import volume at Port of Santos, totaling 14.1 million tons (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

The Port of Santos handled 92.8 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2026, a result 5% higher than that recorded in the same period last year (88.3 million tons). Of this year's total, 68.7 million tons were export cargo, while 24 million tons were imports. The figures were released by the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), based on data provided by the Port Authorities.

On the import side, general cargo recorded the highest volume, totaling 14.5 million tons, driven mainly by containerized cargo, which reached 14.1 million tons. Solid bulk cargo ranked second, with 5.7 million tons, led by fertilizers, which accounted for 3.7 million tons. Liquid bulk imports totaled 3.8 million tons.

Exports were led by solid bulk cargo, which reached 41 million tons, driven primarily by soybeans, totaling 25.6 million tons. Exported general cargo amounted to 21.3 million tons, with containerized cargo accounting for the largest share at 16.7 million tons. Liquid bulk exports totaled 6.3 million tons, led by fuel oil, citrus juices, diesel oil, and gas oil.

Paraná ports

The ports of Paranaguá and Antonina, in Paraná, handled 34.44 million tons of cargo during the first half of 2026, including both imports and exports. The volume represents a 0.6% increase compared with the same period in 2025. Of the total, 22.3 million tons were exports, while imports totaled 12.1 million tons.

As observed at other ports, soybeans were among the main commodities responsible for the performance during the period. In the first six months of the year, 9.47 million tons of soybeans were shipped, a volume 21% higher than that recorded in the same period of 2025, when soybean throughput totaled 7.86 million tons.

Another highlight was containerized cargo, which totaled 8.7 million tons during the semester, an 8.9% increase over 2025, when throughput reached 8 million tons.

Itajaí

In the first half of 2026, the Port of Itajaí, in Santa Catarina, handled 2.6 million tons of cargo, a volume 40% higher than the 1.86 million tons recorded in the same period of 2025. In absolute terms, the increase amounted to 740,900 tons.

Container throughput reached 238,873 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), compared with 136,385 TEUs in the first half of 2025, representing growth of 75%. In June alone, the port handled 488,300 tons of cargo, 28% more than in the same month of 2025.

Cargo throughput at Itaqui up 53.5%

Strategically positioned for cargo flows through the Northern Arc, the Port of Itaqui, in Maranhão, handled 16.5 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2026. Comparing the monthly results between January and June, cargo throughput increased from 2.09 million tons to 3.21 million tons, a 53.5% increase.

Solid bulk cargo accounted for the largest volume, totaling 11.97 million tons. Liquid bulk cargo reached 3.86 million tons. General cargo totaled 755,700 tons, driven mainly by pulp, which accounted for 702,900 tons.

Port of Itaqui, in Maranhão, handled 16.5 million tons of cargo in the first half of 2026 (Disclosure)

Suape

The Suape Port and Industrial Complex, in Pernambuco, handled 13.7 million tons of cargo during the first half of 2026, a 25.6% increase compared with the same period of the previous year.

Liquid bulk cargo was the leading cargo segment during the period, totaling 9.14 million tons, representing an increase of 40.1%. Solid bulk cargo reached 799,500 tons, up 39% year over year.

Bahia

The public ports managed by Companhia das Docas do Estado da Bahia (Codeba) recorded a 22.49% increase in cargo throughput during the period. The Port of Salvador posted the highest throughput among the ports managed by Codeba, handling 3.79 million tons of cargo, an increase of 20.94%.