Port of Santos breaks cargo record in 2010
O Estado de S. Paulo
The port of Santos, the largest in Latin America, broke the handling record in 2010. The volume increased 15.4% compared to the same period in 2009, jumping from 83.1 million tons to 96 million tons, according to the São Paulo State Port Company (Codesp), manager of the port complex. The handling last year is 9.5% greater than that estimated by the Codesp, which had projected the handling of 87.6 million tons. In 2010, the imports amounted to 31.8 million tons - an increase of 33.5% compared to the 23.8 million operated in 2009. As regards the exports, they increased 8.1% and totaled 64.1 million tons.
The increase in the operations was driven particularly by the performance of dry bulk commodities and general cargo in containers. Among the dry bulk exported stands out sugar, operating 19.4 million tons in the period, an increase of 14%. Corn also had relevant participation. In total, 5.5 million tons of the grain was handled, increase of 56.6%. As regards imports, coal registered the highest rate of growth (51%) in the period, with 3.6 million tons. Sulphur appeared in second place with 31.0% of increase; and wheat, 23%. The handling of vehicles amounted to 345,411 units - 61.2% more than that seen in 2009. Of the total, 95,709 were imported and 249,702 were exported.
For this year, the Codesp foresees the handling of 101 million tons, which would mean an increase of 5.2% compared to 2010. According to projections, the handling of general cargo will feature the greatest growth in period, 7.4%, followed by the bulk liquids, 5.1%. The pace of growth of the operations in Santos is above the plan of demand outlined by the World Bank. The expectation was that between 2009 and 2024 the volume of cargo would grow 158%, an average of 10.53% - below that seen in 2010. The figures are an alert to the urgent need for enlargement of the port and its access.