Brazil's Waterborne Freight Hits 5-Year High with 9.81% Growth

Brazilian waterborne freight transport achieved its strongest performance in five years, recording 374.6 billion tonne-kilometers (TKU) in 2025, representing a 9.81% increase from 2024. This growth reflects expanding capacity across multiple transport modes: inland navigation jumped 21.06%, international shipping on inland waterways climbed 23.46%, and coastal shipping grew 6.49%. The Lower Amazon and Madeira waterways dominated activity, accounting for approximately 64% and 30% of inland navigation output respectively.

The data, compiled by Brazil's maritime authority ANTAQ, carries significant implications for supply chain professionals managing South American logistics networks. The robust growth indicates that waterborne transport is becoming an increasingly reliable and competitive alternative to rail and road freight, particularly for bulk commodities and agricultural products. However, regional disparities reveal underlying vulnerabilities: while the Paraguay River Waterway exploded 195%, the Paraná-Tietê system declined 31.77%, reflecting hydrological, operational, and infrastructure constraints that logistics planners must navigate.

For supply chain teams sourcing from or shipping to Brazil, this expansion presents opportunities to optimize transportation costs and reduce congestion on road networks. The structural growth in inland waterways suggests improved infrastructure stability and operational reliability, supporting longer-term sourcing and distribution strategy adjustments in the region.