The COVID-19 pandemic, which has slowed global economic activity, has not yet reached Santos. In April the port registered its largest monthly throughput in history, at 13.4 million tons, a number 5% higher than the previous record (12.8 million tons, in October 2019), and 26.8% higher than April of 2019 (10.6 million tons). In the first four months of 2020, throughput reached 45 million tons, marking a 9.8% year-on-year increase, and 5.5% more than the previous record (42.7 million tons, in 2018). The figures were compiled by the Santos Port Authority (SPA), and Tariff and Statistics Management. Container operations also grew by 13.6% in the first four months of the year compared to year-ago levels, with a total throughput of 1.5 million TEU. Shipments through the Port of Santos in April totaled 9.7 million tons; an increase of 32.6%. The highlight was soybeans, for which a record 4.6 million tons were handled, 68% more than April last year. Sugar also increased by 24%, totaling 1.10 million tons, the best result since 2014. For imports April registered 3.72 million tons, marking a 13.8% year-on-year rise. The number of vessel calls at the Port of Santos in April totaled 420, an increase of 9.7% compared to April of 2019 (383). In total there have been 30 more vessel calls this year than last year, marking a 1.9% increase.
Source: Datamar News