Posted on April 14, 2025
The Santos Port Authority in Brazil has announced plans to deepen the draft of its port to accommodate larger vessels in the coming years. According to a report by Reuters, the draft will be increased to 16 meters and then 17 meters, potentially by 2031, as part of efforts to enhance trade capabilities.
Beto Mendes, director of port operations, highlighted that attracting larger vessels is crucial for Brazil to bolster trade relations with key partners such as China. The port of Santos, which shipped a record 179.8 million tons of products last year, is projected to increase its volume to approximately 188 million tons by 2025. This growth estimate does not yet account for the potential impact of global trade dynamics, including the ongoing trade tensions between China and the United States.
Data from the IndexBox platform supports the anticipated growth in shipping volumes at Santos, driven by its strategic importance in handling agricultural commodities like soybeans, corn, cotton, and pulp, which constitute about 60% of its shipments. The port’s infrastructure, comprising 58 terminals and 16 kilometers of docking piers with 62 berths, is entirely operated by private companies, positioning it similarly to major European ports in terms of operations.
