Ports and Terminals

Movement at Wilson Sons container terminals surge 33% in August

Sep, 11, 2023 Posted by Gabriel Malheiros

Week 202337

Wilson Sons recorded a 33% growth in August compared to the same month last year, driven by the outstanding performance of Tecon Rio Grande and Tecon Salvador, which saw increases in export, import, and cabotage volumes. Tecon Rio Grande saw a 32% increase last month, totaling 66,000 TEUs. Meanwhile, at Tecon Salvador, which connects the North and Northeast regions to the global trade, volumes increased by 34%, totaling 37,000 TEUs.

Last month, Tecon Rio Grande received a total of 42 vessels, compared to 32 in the same period in 2022.

At the Rio Grande terminal, which serves the main maritime lines connecting Brazil and the South to important international markets, exports increased by 22%, with more calls and shipments of wood, tobacco, and steel bars. Imports also grew by 5%, driven by higher volumes of resins, glass, and steel products. Tecon Rio Grande also recorded a 55% increase in cabotage, with higher volumes of rice, while inland navigation advanced by 37%, driven by resins and wood. The terminal also saw an increase in the transshipment of goods to/from the East Coast of the United States and cabotage markets.

Tecon Salvador also received more vessels in August: 42, compared to 34 in the same period last year. There was strong growth in exports (32%) with higher volumes of pulp and paper, minerals, and plastics; imports (53%) driven by electronics, chemicals, and solar panels; and cabotage (18.5%) with more volumes of rice, plastics, and beverages. In the case of transshipment and unloading, there was an even greater increase of 61%, mainly due to the increased cargo from Turkey, India, and the port of Vitória, as well as volumes destined for China, Argentina, and the port of Vitória.

In June last year, Wilson Sons expanded its fleet for operation at Tecon Salvador with 12 new fully electric yard tractors. Their addition to the current fleet represents up to 341 tons of avoided CO2 emissions per year. Earlier this year, the Bahia-based terminal set a record by handling 110 containers per hour during operations at the new Santa Dulce dos Pobres quay, sanctioned by the Brazilian Navy at the end of 2022. It is the best performance ever recorded among Northeastern ports.

Tecon Rio Grande, on the other hand, signed a contract in May last year to have the terminal’s energy supplied 100% from renewable sources. To achieve this, the IREC (International Renewable Energy Certificates) certification was acquired for the 2024/25/26 triennium, which can be used for reporting indirect emissions from energy consumption in the GHG Protocol Program, the most widely used international methodology for quantifying greenhouse gas emissions. By 2024, all the energy generated for the terminal will come from renewable sources, which can be wind, solar, or small hydroelectric plants.

Tugboats

Another highlight was Wilson Sons’ tugboat division. A total of 5,057 port maneuvers were performed during the period, an increase of 5% compared to August 2022. The maneuvers increased mainly due to the greater number of vessels transporting grains such as corn and soybeans.

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