Port of Santos prepares for increased cargo movement with the 2024/2025 harvest

Harvest outflow is expected to increase the average vehicle movement from three thousand to fifteen thousand per day at the Port (Vanessa Rodrigues/AT)

The Port of Santos receives up to five times more trucks during the grain harvest outflow period, increasing the average vehicle movement from three thousand to fifteen thousand per day. Additionally, it serves as the main export gateway for soybeans and corn to approximately 70 countries. With the 2024/2025 harvest estimated at 322.3 million tons by the National Supply Company (Conab), leading to a consequent increase in the volume of commodities to be shipped from the region, public agencies, transporters, and exporters are organizing to prevent logistical bottlenecks.

The general director of the National Association of Cereal Exporters (Anec), Sérgio Mendes, explains that the sector projects exports of 33.3 million tons of soybeans and 16.1 million tons of corn this year. “We export grains to about 70 countries through 14 Brazilian ports, and Santos is our flagship. Today, 95% of cotton exports go through Santos, in containers. As for soybeans (30.33%), it is necessary to combine all the volumes shipped through the ports of Santarém (PA), Barcarena (PA), Itacoatiara (AM), and Itaqui (MA) to match the volume exported from Santos.”

When asked about potential congestion resulting from the intense truck flow during harvest time in Baixada Santista, Mendes stated that weather conditions in the Northern Arc are of greater concern. “Drought or excessive rain in the North worries us more. When that happens, the cargo that would be exported from there is redirected to Santos. The estimate is that peak grain outflow this year will occur in March, April, May, and June.”

Workforce The president of the Union of Autonomous Bulk Cargo Road Transporters of Santos, Cubatão, and Guarujá (Sindgran), José Cavalcanti de Andrade, known as Salgadinho, states that the increased movement during the harvest season is welcome because “it generates work.” However, he is concerned about potential bottlenecks in access to the Port due to the excessive number of vehicles.

“Between grains and containers, truck traffic increases from 3,000 to around 15,000 trucks per day, entering and leaving Baixada Santista and the Port”, he says.

The representative of autonomous drivers emphasized the need to adjust the scheduling system proposed by the Santos Port Authority (APS). “Scheduling has brought some improvements, but it has also worsened the situation for trucks descending the Sierra without an appointment. We are working to address this issue with APS”, he says.

The president of the Union of Commercial Cargo Transport Companies of the Paulista Coast (Sindisan), Roseneide Fassina, warns that congestion is possible if measures are not taken to minimize the situation.

“As is well known, we have serious issues with road access. One of the main actions will be the enforcement and compliance with scheduling requirements.”

Rose Fassina also highlighted that the entire logistics ecosystem — including associations, unions, and regulatory agencies — must focus on solving the problem.

“Additionally, another factor that may further complicate the situation is the start of construction work in the Alemoa industrial and port district. Meetings are expected to begin next week”, the president noted.

Ship queue Regarding the queue of ships for grain loading or fertilizer unloading, the executive director of the Navigation Agencies Union of the State of São Paulo (Sindamar), José Roque, points out that numerous variables will influence this scenario throughout 2025. “The queue at the beginning of the year in Santos may occur due to rainfall in Mato Grosso, which is slowing down the harvest pace and consequently delaying cargo arrival. However, historically, by the end of March, things tend to normalize due to the efficient operation of the region’s terminals, which have made significant investments”, Roque observes.

As for the following months, the Sindamar director emphasizes the need to monitor the sales pace of producers in the countryside. “Shippers will schedule vessels based on that.” Finally, Roque notes that “although the increase in the harvest presents a positive scenario for exporters, there is still a logistical challenge to overcome.”