The waterway sector handled 653.7 million tonnes of cargo in the first half of 2025, a 1.02% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Aquaviary Statistics report from the National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ).
This is the highest volume recorded for the first six months of the year since the historical series began in 2010. The volume for June alone — 120.4 million tonnes — was also a record for the month.
The growth in cargo movement during the first half was driven mainly by containerized cargo and solid bulk, which also reached their highest levels since 2010.
Cargo profiles
Containerized cargo movement reached 78.1 million tonnes in the first half of the year, a 6.17% increase. Of that total, 53.7 million tonnes were handled in long-haul shipping, 23.7 million through cabotage, and 0.7 million via inland navigation and port support. In TEUs, container throughput totaled 7.3 million.
Last year, this cargo segment also reached a record with a 22.72% increase, reflecting a continuous upward trend over the past five years.
Solid bulk, which accounts for 59.2% of all cargo handled at Brazilian ports, registered 387.1 million tonnes — a 0.7% increase compared to the first half of 2024.
General cargo saw a 5.21% increase in the first six months of the year, totaling 31.7 million tonnes, while liquid bulk declined 1.4% to 156.8 million tonnes.
Port operations
Public ports maintained the same throughput levels as the first half of 2024, handling 231.5 million tonnes in the first six months of this year — a slight 0.53% decrease.
Among the 20 busiest public ports in the country, the Port of Rio de Janeiro (RJ) recorded the highest percentage growth in the semester, handling 8.4 million tonnes — a 24.9% increase.
Below is a historical overview of exports and imports at the Port of Rio de Janeiro since January 2022. The chart was created using DataLiner data:
Exports and Imports at the Port of Rio de Janeiro | Jan 2022 to Jun 2025 | TEUs
Source: DataLiner (Click here to request a demo)
Another highlight was the Port of Itajaí (SC), which has already moved 1.7 million tonnes since operations resumed in May 2025.
For yet another consecutive year, the Port of Santos handled the largest volume in the period, with 67.9 million tonnes — a 1.09% drop. The port accounted for 10.4% of all port activity during the first six months of the year.
Private Use Terminals (TUPs) handled 422.3 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, a 1.88% increase compared to the same period last year.
Among the 20 busiest TUPs during the period, the Terminal Marítimo Ponta Ubu (ES) saw the highest growth, with a 50.66% increase, handling 7 million tonnes.
The busiest terminal in the first half was the Terminal Marítimo de Ponta da Madeira (MA), which handled 75.2 million tonnes, a slight increase of 0.59%.
Commodities
Among the standout commodities in the first half of 2025 were fertilizers, with a 13.65% increase to 20.9 million tonnes; sulfur, which rose 10.76% to 1.2 million tonnes; and pulp, which increased 9.12% to 12.5 million tonnes.
The most handled cargoes during the first six months of the year were iron ore, with 190.5 million tonnes (+2.5%), followed by crude oil, with 104.1 million tonnes (+0.62%), and soy, with 93 million tonnes (+5.2%).
Navigation
Inland navigation moved 44.3 million tonnes in the first six months of the year — a 2.37% increase.
Long-haul cargo movement totaled 463.6 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, a 2.01% increase year over year.
Cabotage, however, saw a 1.95% decrease compared to the first half of last year, totaling 144.8 million tonnes.
Statistical Dashboard
ANTAQ’s Statistical Dashboard is available on the agency’s website and can be accessed via smartphones and tablets. The electronic platform provides data on long-haul transport, cabotage, inland waterways, and container port movement.
Source: Agência Gov
