Brazilian Ports Set New 2025 Record at 1.4 Billion Tonnes, Antaq Says

Private terminals empowered by Brazil's 2023 ports law are driving investment and throughput, signaling a maturing model.

Overview

Total cargo rose 6.1% from 2024, with a year‑end acceleration as December volumes jumped 14.2% to 119 million tonnes.
Container handling reached 15.3 million TEUs in 2025, reflecting a 125% increase since 2010.
Private capital accounted for 84% of sector investment last year at R$234.9 billion, supported by rules allowing TUPs to move third‑party cargo.
The ministry ran eight port auctions in 2025 totaling R$10.3 billion and issued 39 acts worth R$5.81 billion, alongside R$2.07 billion in contractual investments for projects including the Santos–Guarujá tunnel and Paranaguá access upgrades.
Iron ore, crude oil and containers made up over half of throughput, with China taking 72% of Brazil’s iron ore exports, and Antaq projects port movement of 1.44 billion tonnes in 2026.