Bahia, where the three ports (Salvador, Aratu-Candeias, and Ilhéus) managed by Codeba, the Port Authority, are located, represents the largest economy in the northeastern region of Brazil. Bahia's exports in 2023 reached US$ 11.3 billion, with highlights including chemicals and petrochemicals, soybeans, fuel oil, cellulose, and fruits. Some destinations for Bahia's products include countries like Singapore, the USA, China, Canada, and Germany.
Besides hosting the largest industrial complex in the southern hemisphere, the Industrial Pole of Camaçari, with over 90 chemical, petrochemical, and other companies, such as tire, textile, fertilizer, pharmaceutical, beverage, and service industries, Bahia also stands out for grain production in the western region of the state, cellulose in the far south, and fruits grown in irrigated plantations in the northern region. Another growing sector in recent years is mining, with the production of minerals such as iron, nickel, and vanadium.
With the attraction of new ventures to Bahia, such as BYD's electric vehicle factory, the state is poised to experience a new cycle of expansion, creating more job opportunities and consequently boosting income for the Northeast.
The privileged location of the state of Bahia and the Baía de Todos-os-Santos, the second largest bay in the world, positions the ports of Salvador, Aratu-Candeias, and Ilhéus as important logistical assets to enhance Brazilian foreign trade.
Bahia boasts one of the largest port complexes in Brazil, comprising the public ports of Salvador, Aratu-Candeias, and Ilhéus, along with seven Private Use Terminals (TUPs).
The complex includes the Port System of the Baía de Todos-os-Santos, consisting of the discontinued Aratu-Candeias/Salvador port, in addition to the TUPs Enseada Naval, Aquaviário de Madre de Deus, Marítimo Miguel Oliveira, Dow Química, Cotegipe - TPC, Bahia LNG Regasification - TRBA, and Maritime Graneis Terminal - TMG, all operating within areas under the jurisdiction of Codeba.
The concept of a discontinued port applies to Aratu-Candeias/Salvador due to the geo-economic peculiarities of the Baía de Todos-os-Santos. As the first landmark in Brazilian port history, the Port of Salvador was built in the urban area, in the former business center of the Bahian capital, characterized by the handling of general cargo and grains.
The condition of an "urban port" does not allow for the operation of specific cargoes such as those from the petrochemical, mineral, and gas sectors. The solution was the construction of an extension of the Port of Salvador just 10 kilometers away, navigating within the bay itself, following the concept of a discontinued port, managed by the same Port Authority.
The Port of Salvador has the potential to become the port hub of the Northeast and is primarily characterized by an exporting profile, with emphasis on container handling, general cargo, wheat, cellulose, and also cruise ship reception. It is one of Brazil's largest fruit exporters, with significant participation in foreign trade.
In 2023, the port handled a total of 5.5 million tons, showing a growth of 4.82% in its operations compared to 2022.
Playing a decisive role in the Bahian economy, the Port of Salvador stands out for its strategic position concerning the European continent and Mercosur. Its area of influence includes, besides Bahia, the north of Minas Gerais, Sergipe, Alagoas, Pernambuco, Paraíba, Rio Grande do Norte, and Ceará.
It is also one of the main destinations for cruise routes along the Brazilian coast. In recent years, the Port of Salvador has received substantial investments in its infrastructure, such as the Baía de Todos-os-Santos Expressway, linking it to BR-324; dredging of the access channel and turning basin; construction of the new passenger maritime terminal; modernization and acquisition of new equipment for the container terminal and wheat unloading.
The port of Aratu was strategically designed to meet the growing needs of an industrialized area, focusing on the handling of chemicals, petrochemicals, and processed metals in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador (RMS).
Located also in the Baía de Todos-os-Santos, in the Caboto Cove, the port plays a role in driving the industrial development process in Bahia, facilitating the two main sectors in the state: the Industrial Center of Aratu (CIA) and the Industrial Pole of Camaçari. As an extension of the Salvador Port, Aratu-Candeias is one of Brazil's most important outlets for chemical and petrochemical production.
It is the single busiest port unit in the Bahia Complex, with 6.6 million tons handled in 2023, accounting for 53% of Codeba's cargo handling.
Its area of influence extends to Sergipe, Alagoas, the western part of Pernambuco, and the north of Minas Gerais, operating with seven terminals for handling bulk solids, liquid, and gaseous products. This structure allows the port to handle a wide variety of cargoes, simultaneously moving ores and chemicals. Among the main products handled are fertilizers, naphtha, copper concentrate, liquid petrochemicals, and liquefied gases.
The Port of Ilhéus meets the demand for products from the western region of Bahia, mainly soybeans and products from its hinterland, magnesite, magnesium oxide, as well as equipment for wind power generation plants and cocoa beans to supply the chocolate industries in the region.
In 2023, it recorded its highest throughput since 2008, handling 556,597 tons.
The logistics facility has also stood out in the tourism segment, receiving a considerable number of cruise ships each year during the peak seasons. In recent decades, with the decline of cocoa cultivation, the Port of Ilhéus has gained a new profile, seeking to expand its area of influence by attracting various cargoes from different regions of Bahia and other states.
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