Do you know the Port of Rio Grande? See the information below

In a country with an extensive coastline like Brazil, the port activities are essential for the logistics of imported and exported cargoes, as well as for the handling of products within its territory.

Therefore, the geographical distribution of sea terminals is, of course, vital to meet the needs of our market. It is very important to understand how to make the best possible use of the infrastructure of the 37 public port facilities that we have.

In this article, we will discuss the Port of Rio Grande, one example of port in a strategic location and with available space for the economic growth of the region, and of the entire nation. With the assistance of Fábio Saraiva, agency manager – RS/SC States, we will learn more about its potential. Keep reading.

Know the Porto Rio Grande

317 km distant from Porto Alegre, the Port of Rio Grande is the most important structure of this type in the extreme South of Brazil. Stablished in the beginning of the 20^th century, it is presently administered by Ports RS.

In 2019, the volume of cargo handled reached as much as 38,2 million tons, with prospects of increase in 2020, despite the economic contraction caused by the pandemic.

The complex comprehends the facilities of Rio Grande, Pelotas and Porto Alegre, which is the third biggest in terms of infrastructure, channel and berths depth. It is an interesting alternative to the Ports of Santos and Paranaguá.

Recently, the works for deepening the draft have been concluded, and the new draft was officially ratified as 15 meters. With this investment, the port complex will be able to receive even larger ships and become a definite reference in the region.

The position of Rio Grande in the national commerce scenario

Rio Grande’s importance is well known among charterers, owners and professional of shipping agencies in Brazil and neighbor countries, who use its infrastructure to import and export their products. 

Its infrastructure comprehends not only the port facilities, but also warehouses and the rear port area, bases of operations and even assistance to offshore supply and support boats.

 “At Rio Grande Port Complex, the shipowners and charterers find all the facilities they need for the export outflow of the main raw materials the world consumes annually”, Fábio explains.

Out of these types of cargo, he outlines the following:

• bulk cargoes – soya, rice, wheat and maize;
• forest products – logs and wood chip: 
• chemicals = castic soda and fuel derivatives;
• ferlilizers – urea, phosphates, chlorides,

This complete infrastructure and its geographical position attracts not only several producers from other Brazilian states but also from our neighbors. The proximity of Rio Grande Port with Argentina and Uruguay brings, as well, the production and investment from these countries and strengthens our commercial relations.

With all these attractive advantages, the complex is expanding its activities. In June 2020, amidst the pandemic that paralyzed the whole world, Rio Grande stablished a new record in cargo in quantities of cargo handled.

It totalled 1,58 million tons more than the previous year, an increase of 16,16% compared to the same period of 2019, boosted mainly by bulk cargoes. Up to September 2020, the total quantity handled already reached more than 30 million tons, which indicates that it will be possible to maintain, if not surpass, the number of the previous year.

Know more about the challenges faced for its growth

Nowadays, Rio Grande Port is in a very favourable position to become one of the driving forces behind the economic development of the country. The challenge to achieve this potential, however, is the surrounding infrastructure, just like practically all Brazilian port terminals.

Fábio points out a villain well known by those who work in the sector: “the logistic costs of Rio Grande do Sul’s roads are very high, and this makes the cargo transport to Rio Grande costly.” Without additional investments in roads, railways and waterways, the Brazilian products outflow bottleneck will be always between the producers and the ports.

With regard to the internal logistics and operations, the results of 2020 clearly indicate, however, that is possible to overcome any challenge with good management. Even with the pandemic that impacted the global economy, Rio Grande port continues to be a reference in international transport of cargoes, and has succeeded to keep its operations in a steady growth. 

Prospects for the future

When we analyze the combination of results of cargo handling amidst the pandemic and the new official draft that allows even bigger ships to call the port, we see how positive the prospects for the future are.

Rio Grande’s aims its own management. “The Port is discussing a change in its management model with the Government and Antaq (National Waterways Transport Agency)”, he explains.

In Fábios’ point of view, the region will still have more investments in infrastructure and cargo outflow improvements in future: 

 “The alignment between the Port Authority and the National Secretary of Ports, as well as the negotiations with the representatives from the Industrial District of Rio Grande, are actions aiming to jointly seek new investments for the available areas in the city and for the eventual elimination of old bottlenecks.”

It is a virtuous circle that is already in course. The expectation is that there will be again an increase of 10% in 2021’s cargo handling quantities – boosted by the project to equalize the duties on imported goods.

And all this new production handled by the port complex attracts new investments that, in turn, bring even more structure for cargo handling. The draft of the port will be the start for this transformation, which, for sure, will be reflected in the infrastructure of all south region.

The most interesting prospect in this scenario is that the terminal consolidates its position and the biggest cargo hub in Southern Cone, strengthening its commercial front among the states of the region and neighbor countries, as well as offering an interesting geographical position for the commerce between several locations in the world.

It is a vocation that there has been in Rio Grande since its conception one century ago.  It is a traditional port complex, but each day more and more modern and attractive to new investments. A true reference for the Brazilian economy.

So, do you still have question about Rio Grande Port? Have you ever had cargoes at that port? Share your experiences with your comments!