There was a record amount of traffic in May, 98,113 TEUs, which followed on from the previous record-setting figure for March.

Traffic through Porto Itapoá grows by 18% in the first half of 2023

Substantial growth and container traffic records beaten again. These have been some of the most note-worthy achievements for Porto Itapoá in the first half of 2023. The Terminal handled 450,638 TEUs (a unit of measurement equivalent to a 20-foot container) in the first six months of 2022. However, in the same period of this year, the amount of containers handled was 533,423, up around 18%.

There was a record amount of traffic in May, 98,113 TEUs, which followed on from the previous record-setting figure for March. The president of Porto Itapoá, Cássio Schreiner, explained that there had been growth in both imports and exports. “There was also an increase in cabotage, navigation between Brazilian ports, during this first semester”, added Schreiner.

Long haul imports was the area with the greatest growth. These went from 124,425 TEUs in the first half of 2022 to 174,601 TEUs in the first half of 2023. An increase of 40%. “The type of cargo was quite varied. The automobile and automotive parts sector accounted for 6.5% of this, while the fabric, clothing and footwear sector also accounted for just over 6%”, the Terminal’s president explained. “China continues to be an important market for importers. Over 30% of the imports that passed through Porto Itapoá originated there”.

Long haul exports, meanwhile, grew by 24%, rising from 122,982 to 152,954 TEUs in 2023. The most common exports were of frozen or refrigerated meat, which corresponded to 27% of the total exports handled by Porto Itapoá. “This sector is growing rapidly. As a result, we broke our historical record for reefer cargo exports in March: 9,016 TEUs”, explained Schreiner. Spain was the most frequent recipient of exports through Porto Itapoá, corresponding to 8.2% of the total.

Cabotage, meanwhile, grew from 73,805 to 82,299 TEUs, up 11%. “This is also an important milestone for us. We currently have the three largest shipping companies operating cabotage in Brazil”, he added.

There was also an increase in vehicle traffic through the Gate, where the transport trucks enter and exit. The passage of 232,325 vehicles was recorded, 24% higher than the same period for the previous year. In the month of May alone, 44,159 vehicles were recorded, a historic record for the Terminal.