Paraná breaks record in containerized cargo and expands its leadership in protein exports.

The record movement of 73.5 million tons in 2025 at Paraná's ports was also boosted by containerized cargo, which reached the highest volume in history last year. In total, 1,662,370 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit, or six meters in length) were handled. The increase represents 71 TEUs more than in 2024, when the terminal reached 1.5 million TEUs.

A large portion of the containers leaving Paranaguá are refrigerated. The port is the largest export corridor for frozen animal protein in Brazil, responsible for 34% of the market. And it is the largest export corridor for chicken meat on the planet. In 2025, the terminal shipped 2.8 million tons of the product, the same volume recorded in 2024.

The outbreak of avian influenza recorded in May in Rio Grande do Sul, which interrupted exports to some countries for part of the year, was one of the factors that prevented the expansion planned for the year.

Beef was the highlight of the period, with the second largest shipment sent to other countries. In total, 1.2 million tons were exported, a growth of 46.51% of the total exported. A large part of the production originated in other Brazilian states, including those in the North Region, which opted for the Port of Paranaguá due to its logistical efficiency.

New investments

The productivity potential of Portos do Paraná will be further expanded in the short term. By February, the largest public port project in Brazil will be completed: the Moegão dam, which has already surpassed 80% of construction.

The Government of the State of Paraná, through Portos do Paraná, is investing more than R$ 650 million in the port reception complex.

Cargo will be transported by rail. Upon completion, Moegão will be able to receive up to 24 million tons of grains and bran per year, serving the terminals of the Eastern Export Corridor (Corex).

Construction of the "T"-shaped pier will begin soon, with the first phase budgeted at R$ 1.2 billion. The structure will boost the Eastern Export Corridor, with four new berths equipped with the world's fastest loading system. The second phase will involve an additional investment of R$ 1 billion, representing the State Government's first investment in the port area in over 50 years.

Another new feature will be the "F" shaped pier, which will connect the terminals of the new West Corridor. Expansion of the liquid cargo pier is also planned, with the interconnection of terminals that handle this type of cargo.

These investments are the result of nine auctions held since 2019 in port areas along the Paraná coast, which will allow for the expansion and modernization of the Port of Paranaguá. With the full regularization of the areas, known as PARs, within the port complex, destined for private exploitation, Portos do Paraná secured R$ 5.1 billion, including the concession of the access channel.

The timeframe for completing all investments stipulated in the tender documents varies from five to seven years, depending on the specifics of each contract, starting from the date of the final signing of the concessions.