Port of Santos maintains trade routes with Iran despite conflict in the Middle East

APS stated that the lines serving Brazil do not depend on the most sensitive areas of the conflict (Carlos Nogueira/AT Archive)

The conflict triggered in the Middle East following the attack by United States and Israel against Iran last Saturday has not affected commercial maritime routes between Port of Santos and Iranian ports so far, according to Autoridade Portuária de Santos (APS), which also reported that it remains attentive to developments in the situation. Iran imported 31% of the corn shipped through Santos last year, corresponding to approximately 4.5 million tons.

APS informed, through its Diretoria de Operações, that there is still no indication of direct impacts, since the main shipping lines serving Brazil do not directly depend on the most sensitive areas of the conflict.

According to APS, the information was obtained directly from private operators, shipowners, and other agents within the port community. However, the Port administration states that it remains vigilant, considering the volume of cargo shipped to the country in 2025.

The operator of the Santos quay takes into account that, as global trade logistics are integrated, regional tensions may generate indirect effects, such as route adjustments or operational rescheduling. “In wartime scenarios, it is difficult to predict all developments, even when geographically distant.”

According to Autoridade Portuária, there is no indication of changes in vessel calls or impairment of operations at the Port as a result of this situation. “Port of Santos is resilient precisely because it has many connections and alternatives to serve its approximately 600 destination locations”, stated the president of APS, Anderson Pomini.

Offensive

Israel and United States attacked Iran by sea and air. The explosions struck the capital, Tehran, and other cities. The supreme leader of Iran, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the attack on his office.

In retaliation for the military offensive, Iran launched missiles against Israel and attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Bahrein, Kuwait, Jordan, and United Arab Emirates.

The attack occurred after negotiations over a nuclear agreement proposed by United States to Iran failed to advance.