The cargo throughput in the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina (in the southern Brazilian state of Paraná), from January to the first fortnight of October grew 6.51% when compared to the same period last year. The total throughput was 26.14 million tons of products, against 24.54 million tons last year.
One of the highlights in throughput was the solid bulk sector, which presented growth of 9.61% when compared to 2005. Maize is the main cargo in the sector, and exports of the product grew 394,83% up to the first fortnight of October, in comparison to the same period last year. Other products like barley, sugar and wheat also presented growth.
According to the head of operations at Paranaguá port, Cláuber Candian, this good performance for maize may be explained by the infrastructure the port has been granted.
"Paranaguá has established logistics that permit the export of various products using the same conveyors. We have a multi-cargo port that permits the processing of 9,000 tons of maize per hour," he explained.
Another highlight in the cargo throughput in Paranaguá in 2006 was alcohol. From January to August this year, the throughput was 323,100 tons of alcohol, against 269,900 in the same period last year, which represents an increase of 19.71%.
The increase took place due to incentives for the shipment of the product at the liquid bulk terminal. In the past, only oil products had preference for shipment, which made it harder to transport alcohol.
Omar Nasser works for Fiep, the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná.
