Investing in maritime shipping is essential to make a country strong and relevant in foreign trade. This year alone, the Brazilian government will either auction or extend concession contracts for eight ports as part of the Investment Partnerships Programme (PPI). One of the main terminals involved is the Rio de Janeiro Wheat Terminal, with forecasts of R$ 93.1 million in investments over the next few years.

With most of its exports in the form of agricultural goods, Brazil needs port terminals that can allow its massive volumes of trade output, especially for products like soybean and maize, to flow quickly to their destinations.

More than 90% of all international trade is done by sea, as per data from the International Chamber of Shipping.

According to the entity, without this form of freight transport, it would be impossible to close deals and expand foreign trade. Currently, more than 50,000 merchant ships carry international cargo and products through countries.

Brazil’s sea

In Brazil, maritime transport is equally crucial. Shipments by sea account for 83.5% of total exports by the country (which recently hit the record high of US$ 153.2 billion from January to October). Total exported volume reached 521 million tons in the period.

In imports, the scenario is similarly relevant. By the end of October, imports by sea had totalled US$ 113.3 billion, which corresponds to 73.6% of all foreign purchases made by the country.

Brazilian ports export all main products in our trade balance: soybean, soybean meal, maize, mineral products, meat, sugar, cars, coffee, and other consumer goods. Today, Brazil has 34 public ports and more than 100 private port facilities covering 8,500 kilometres of navigable coast.