Antaq forecasts optimistic and sustained growth until 2029

In 2025, Brazilian ports are expected to handle 1.33 billion tons of cargo. This forecast, made by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), represents a 1.1% increase compared to last year’s operations.
The regulatory agency anticipates that the upward trend in port handling will continue over the next four years. By 2029, the national port sector is expected to move 1.49 billion tons.

For the Federal Government, the 2024 results reflect progress driven by strategic investments in modernization, efficiency, and port sustainability. “In 2024 alone, more than R$ 1 billion (US$ 174.8 million) was invested in modernizing and expanding port infrastructure, and this year, the expectation is to invest R$ 1.7 billion (US$ 297.2 million),” said the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, emphasizing that these investments are essential for boosting trade and the country’s economic development.

In addition to infrastructure investments, Costa Filho highlighted the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce bureaucracy, citing the implementation of the Navegue Simples program, which ensures greater efficiency and transparency in document processing. The minister also emphasized the strategic role of private sector participation in economic growth, noting that, in 2024 alone, eight auctions were held, attracting more than R$ 3.74 billion (US$ 647 million) in investments.

Costa Filho also mentioned the upcoming auction of ITG 02 in Itaguaí (RJ), which he claimed will be the largest auction in the history of the Brazilian port sector. Additionally, he announced that on the 27th of this month, the concession of the Santos-Guarujá Tunnel will be officially unveiled—a project that was envisioned nearly 100 years ago and is now finally becoming a reality. The investments will total R$ 6 billion (US$ 1.049 billion), shared between the Federal and State Governments.

Antaq’s Director-General, Eduardo Nery, highlighted the importance of sustainability in port operations. “The environmental agenda is always very relevant. I had the opportunity to see the completion of a study on the climate impacts on Brazilian ports, which has become a major reference in our environmental agenda. I also had the chance to propose important initiatives for our ports in the energy transition.”

Among the effects of climate change, the second half of 2024 saw a historic drought in the Amazon River, which hindered navigation in the region. As a result, Antaq authorized the use of the Floating Pier in Itacoatiara for transshipment of containers to and from authorized terminals in the Amazon River region. This measure helped maintain cargo flow both within the region and across other Brazilian states.

Due to the severe drought, inland navigation saw a 4.7% decrease, transporting 115.34 million tons of cargo—mainly affected by the Amazon and Madeira Rivers. On the Paraguay River, waterway transport reached only 3.3 million tons, marking a 58.24% drop from the previous year.

Given the ongoing drought conditions in Brazil and worldwide, Antaq has turned to waterway concessions as a solution to ensure that, particularly in the North region, both passenger transport—offered free of charge—and cargo transport remain operational nearly year-round.

Currently, the main focus of these concession projects is the Paraguay River, which is the most advanced and will be the first to go to auction. Meanwhile, studies on the Madeira River are being reviewed to account for more extreme drought conditions.

Studies were officially launched on January 17 for the Tapajós and Tocantins Rivers, while projects for Lagoa Mirim and Barra Norte are also considered priorities by the agency.