Public ports in Rio Grande do Sul register the highest volume of traffic since 2021.

The public ports of Rio Grande do Sul – Rio Grande, Pelotas, and Porto Alegre – handled a total of 42.373.432 tons between January and November 2025. This is the highest volume recorded since 2021, representing a 3,01% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and a 2,30% increase compared to 2023. These figures highlight the role of Rio Grande do Sul's port infrastructure in supporting agricultural and industrial production, as well as commodity exports.

According to the president of Portos RS, Cristiano Klinger, the numbers demonstrate the performance of the regional logistics system even in the face of a global scenario marked by adverse weather conditions, commercial instability, and market fluctuations. "This result is the fruit of a series of combined factors: the operational efficiency of the terminals, integrated logistics planning, and the performance of primary production in Rio Grande do Sul, especially in the grain and pulp sectors. The number confirms the potential of the state's port system as a driver of competitiveness and development," he states.

The Port of Rio Grande was responsible for 40.884.088 tons of the total cargo handled, representing more than 96% of the operations registered in the state's public ports. This volume corresponds to a growth of 3,67% compared to the same period in 2024. The composition of the cargo handled shows the predominance of solid bulk cargo, which represented 59,82% of operations. General cargo accounted for 32,5% and liquid bulk cargo for 7,6%. Among the products that registered growth are cellulose, with 3,8 million tons and an increase of 13,67%, soybean meal, which totaled 4 million tons, an increase of 17,47%, and corn, which reached 787 tons, representing an expansion of 810% compared to the previous year. There was also growth in the movement of meat, with 877 tons, an increase of 5,4%, and of sulfates, which reached 1 million tons, with an increase of 40,66%. 

The Port of Rio Grande also showed impressive performance in container handling, totaling 934.691 TEUs up to November. This number represents a growth of 29,11% compared to the 723.940 TEUs registered in the same period of 2024. The largest percentage growth was recorded in the month of May, with 49,45%, followed by January, with 46,27%, and October, with 43,48%, reflecting the increase in logistics operations in the second half of the year.

The Port of Pelotas, specializing in inland barge navigation, handled 1.171.480 tons of cargo in the period up to November 2025. This volume represents a 10,37% increase compared to the same period of the previous year. The operation was mainly concentrated on the handling of logs, which totaled more than 1 million tons, maintaining the terminal's prominent position in this type of cargo. In addition to logs, clinker handling reached 98,7 tons, and soybean handling reached 12,7 tons.

Conversely, the Port of Porto Alegre registered a 50,14% decrease in cargo volume. Between January and November 2025, the terminal handled 317.864 tons. The volume was mainly composed of fertilizers (199,5 tons), wheat (49,7 tons), and salt (14,1 tons). This low volume is directly related to the recovery phase from the floods that impacted the region, as well as the dredging process of the waterway, which is about to advance significantly. The expectation is that, with the reopening of long-distance shipping, the port will recover its operational capacity and continue to play a strategic role in cargo flow. 

In foreign trade, China maintained its position as the main trading partner of the public ports of Rio Grande do Sul. In exports carried out by the Port of Rio Grande, the Asian country was the destination for 9 million tons, which corresponds to 39,49% of the total exported. Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, and the United States follow. Regarding imports, China also led, with 2,3 million tons, equivalent to 21,52%. Argentina, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Canada complete the list of the main countries of origin for goods.

From January to November, the state's public ports handled approximately 3.500 vessels, including ships and barges. The Port of Rio Grande alone accounted for 2.900 of these operations, maintaining its position as the main gateway for goods entering and leaving southern Brazil. Its infrastructure is distributed among leased terminals, public areas, private operators, and intermodal logistics systems. Portos RS expects the year to end with the growth trend observed over the last few quarters, reinforcing the strategic position of the Rio Grande do Sul public port system in the national and international landscape.

"The numbers confirm the strategic importance of the ports of Rio Grande do Sul for the state's economy. Even in the face of a challenging scenario, the port system of Rio Grande do Sul maintained consistent performance, guaranteeing logistical efficiency, competitiveness for production chains, and security in the flow of agricultural and industrial production. This result reflects planning, continuous investments in infrastructure, and the integration between different modes of transport," highlights the Secretary of Logistics and Transport, Juvir Costella.