According to the Statistical Yearbook 2018 of the National Agency of Water Transportation (Antaq), published this week, the Port of Itaqui grew 17%, surpassing the percentage of the largest public ports in Brazil, such as the Port of Santos (0.87%), Itaguaí (6.98%), Paranaguá (6.51%), Rio Grande (3.8%) and Suape (-0.83%). In 2017, the port of Maranhão grew by 11.89% and moved 19.1 million tons. With this growth, Itaqui has not only featured prominently in cargo movements among Brazilian public ports, but also it has become one of the most important in the North and Northeast. There were 22.3 million tons of cargo in 2018. Another great highlight is the movement of soyabeans. The main exporter of soyabeans, corn and meal from the Northern Arc of Brazil, Itaqui Port consolidates its leadership with handling of 9.8 million tons of soyabean in 2018. With this brand, Itaqui starts to occupy the so-called top 3 ports that export the most soya in the country. The growth of 38.61% in the movement of this type of cargo was also higher than the performance of Santos (12%) and Paranaguá (34%), first and second place respectively. Besides soya, Itaqui remains in the top 3 of handling liquid bulk (fuels, chemicals, liquids). With an increase of approximately 14% in fertilizer handling, it is also among the five public ports that most imported the cargo in 2018 (1.9 million tons), another historical record for the port of Maranhão.
Source: Global Fert