by Lloyd's List

21 Oct 2024 (Lloyd's List) - THE PORT of Santos handled more containers between January and September than ever before in that period and is on track to break its annual record.

South America’s biggest container port (and top 50 port in the world) handled more than 4m teu between January and August 2024, up 15.8% on the same period in 2023.

The bumper year so far will act as greater evidence for a new terminal at the port, which is edging closer to fruition after five years of planning.

The Brazilian Ministry of Ports and Airports has decided to press ahead with a slightly different plan to the original first drawn up five years ago. The new terminal will have four berths instead of three and increase Santos’ container-handling capacity by 50% to 9m teu per year.

A fully privatised model was discarded by President Lula’s administration in favour of a public-private collaboration.

The tender process for the new terminal will begin in 2025, the Ministry of Ports and Airports said.

Santos will also get a welcome boost to its capacity as the existing Tecon terminal is being redeveloped. An extended quay and updated equipment will mean the terminal can handle 3m teu when work is completed in 2026, five years earlier than the original completion date of 2031.