Brazil ports report record cargo volumes and new export milestones

Brazil's maritime sector is seeing significant activity across several major ports. The Port of Santos achieved a record volume of 141.45 million tons of cargo moved between January and September 2026, a 2% increase over the previous year. This growth was driven by containerized cargo and the soybean complex, despite a decline in corn and sugar shipments due to atypical rainfall in September.

In the state of Rio Grande do Norte, the Port of Natal has commenced its first live cattle exports in its 94-year history. The operation, expected to generate approximately R$ 24 million for the local economy, involves shipments to Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

Additionally, the Port of Paranaguá has taken a national lead in vehicle movement, handling 131,400 units from January to September 2026. This surge is largely attributed to the import of Chinese vehicles, including electric and hybrid models. Meanwhile, Santos Brasil is investing heavily in the Tecon Imbituba terminal in Santa Catarina, committing R$ 111 million over three years to modernize infrastructure and technology.