The ports of Paraná reached the best semester in history, with 29,081,691 tons of cargo handled. The volume of imported and exported products between January and June 2021 was 3% higher than that registered in the same period in 2020, which was a historic record until then, with 28,177,335 tons in the first six months.

The amounts generated with the transactions also grew. According to the Ministry of Economy, exports via the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina generated revenues of US$9.6 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the same six months last year (US$8.6 billion). In imports, the growth in value was 35%, reaching US$7.5 billion (in 2020 it was US$5.5 billion).

For the Secretary of State for Infrastructure and Logistics, Sandro Alex, the movement achieved in the first half brings the ports of Paraná closer to a new annual historical record. “The port activity depends on many external factors, such as weather, the harvest of the crop, the international market, but our forecast is to exceed 58 million tons handled by December 2020,” he said.

The figures for the first half of 2021 already exceed by almost 10 million tons the movement registered 10 years ago, from January to June 2011. According to the CEO of Portos do Paraná, Luiz Fernando Garcia, the pace of growth is accelerated.

“If we maintain this pattern, the projection of the National Plan for Port Logistics, of moving 60 million tons via Paranaguá and Antonina, will be achieved long before 2030”, he evaluated. Throughout last year, 57,338,001 tons of products passed through Paraná terminals.

“In 2021, growth continues to be driven mainly by highs in the general cargo and liquid bulk segments. However, with significant high highlights also among solid bulk, our flagship”, completed the president.

HIGHLIGHTS – Both the general cargo and liquid bulk segments registered an increase of 12% in the first half. In general cargo, there were 6,585,462 tonnes handled, in both trade directions, this year. In 2020, there were 5,879,139 tons.

A highlight was the movement of vehicles, which registered an increase of 34% in general. There were 46,532 import and export units. Last year, in the period, there were 34,727 units.

In containers, this year, 460,925 TEUs (specific units equivalent to 20 feet) were transported. Imports surpassed exports and showed greater growth. There were 239,429 TEUs imported (up 4% compared to 2020) and 221,499 exported (increase of 2%).

Also in the general cargo segment, pulp exports were also in evidence, with an increase of 3% in the comparison between the 349,916 tons exported in this first semester and the 338,966 tons in the same period in 2020.

Bagged sugar was the highlight at the Port of Antonina: an increase of 761%. There were 133,925 tons this year, and 15,548 tons last year. In Paranaguá, the export volume totaled 263,069 tons in 2021.

LIQUIDS – The handling of liquid bulk totaled 4,058,618 tons from January to June. The performance was mainly driven by imports, with emphasis on the handling of methanol (500,068 tons, up 14% in the semester) and vegetable oils (179,564 tons and up 583%).

SOLID – Solid bulk accounted for almost 64% of all movements in the first six months of the year. There were 18,437,611 tons imported and exported. The segment, in general, presented a decrease of 1% compared to the 18,681,401 tons handled in the same period of 2020.

“While bran dropped 9% and soybeans dropped 17% compared to the historical movements of 2020, corn and sugar registered expressive highs in exports. In imports, fertilizers stand out, with an increase of 16%”, commented Garcia.

Of corn, 591,538 tons were exported this year, 99% more than the 297,802 tons shipped in the same period in 2020. Of bulk sugar, 1,593,532 tons exported in the last semester, 32% more than the 1,203,094 tons registered last year.

Soy continues as the main product handled in the ports of Paraná, with 7,693,339 tons exported in 2021.

MONTHLY – Specifically in June, in general handling, the Ports of Paranaguá and Antonina registered 4,738,815 tons of products. The month had a performance 8% higher than June 2020.

Check the table, by product

Source: Portos do Paraná