Suape, Brazil

Port Overview

Suape is a major port located in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, approximately 40 km south of Recife. It ranks as Brazil’s sixth largest public port and is the leading container and vehicle port in the North and Northeast regions. Suape’s strategic location connects it to over 160 ports worldwide and places it within 800 km of several major state capitals. In 2024, Suape handled a record 646,804 TEUs, reflecting its growing role as a key logistics and industrial hub for Brazil and South America.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Suape Port features an external port with three liquid bulk piers offering six berths and a multipurpose pier with two berths, all protected by a 3,150-meter L-shaped breakwater. The internal port contains five berths handling containers and general cargo. The facility includes deep-water berths accommodating large vessels up to 16.5 meters depth, modern cargo handling equipment with cranes and forklifts, extensive warehousing, container yards, and petroleum storage tanks. The Tecon Suape Container Terminal serves as the main container facility in Brazil's north-northeast region.

Container Terminals

Suape currently operates one container terminal (Tecon Suape) with approximately 600-660 meters of berth space, handling around 700,000 TEUs annually. The port processed 528,258 TEUs between January and October 2024, showing significant growth. APM Terminals is constructing a second terminal (Tecon II) expected to begin operations in 2026, which will be Latin America's first fully electrified container terminal with 400,000 TEU capacity, increasing total handling capacity by 55%. APM Terminals serves as the major operator.

Port Services

Main Services at Suape Port, Brazil

• Container Handling: Comprehensive loading, unloading, and storage of containers for import, export, and cabotage, with dedicated terminals and advanced equipment.
• Cargo Operations: Efficient movement of bulk, liquid, and general cargo, including petroleum products, chemicals, ethanol, vehicles, iron ore, soybeans, and sugar.
• Ship Services: 24/7 vessel support, including pilotage, mooring, bunkering, and technical assistance for ships of all sizes.
• Warehousing: Extensive storage facilities, including warehouses and container yards, to handle diverse cargo types and ensure smooth logistics.
• Customs: Full customs clearance services to facilitate international trade, with streamlined procedures for imports and exports.

Suape Port is a strategic hub in Northeast Brazil, offering deep-water berths, modern infrastructure, and seamless connectivity to road and rail networks, supporting both domestic and international maritime trade.

Global Connectivity

Suape Port in northeastern Brazil connects to over 160 ports worldwide, serving key regions including Pernambuco, Recife, and the broader North and Northeast industrial markets. Its deep-water facilities accommodate large container ships and Suezmax tankers, supporting direct shipping routes to Europe, North America, Asia, and Africa. Integrated road and rail links enable efficient cargo distribution to major Brazilian economic centers, positioning Suape as a strategic gateway for international and domestic trade.

Port Statistics

Suape Port, Brazil – Key Statistics (2024):

• TEU Throughput: 646,804 TEUs
• World Ranking: 6th busiest public port in Brazil
• Number of Berths: 5 active quays
• Port Area: 1,600 meters of piers
• Shipping Lines: Weekly New Panamax service to Singapore; major global carriers including MSC and APM Terminals

Suape is Northeast Brazil’s leading container port, with ongoing infrastructure upgrades and direct connections to Asia.