NORTHEAST PORTS POST STRONGEST PERFORMANCE IN FOUR YEARS WITH RECORD CARGO VOLUME

From January to August 2025, ports in Brazil’s Northeast handled 213.9 million tonnes of cargo, a 1.14% rise over last year and the highest volume since 2021, according to Antaq. Container throughput grew 10.68% to 14 million tonnes, while general cargo increased 2%. Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho highlighted that the region’s performance, above the national average, reflects the success of ongoing investments. Maranhão’s ports stood out: the Port of Itaqui moved 24.8 million tonnes—mainly fuel and grains—up 8.45%, and Ponta da Madeira handled 110.4 million tonnes of iron ore, up 1.55%. Soybeans were a key driver, with a 17% increase to 16.1 million tonnes, led by Itaqui (12.5 million tonnes) and Cotegipe Terminal in Bahia, which surged 75% to 6.63 million tonnes, confirming the Northeast’s growing importance in Brazil’s export network.
Source: Ministério dos Portos e Aeroportos / Datamar News