Brazil debates using larger vessels to lower soybean export freight costs

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazilian expert Thiago Péra, a researcher at Esalq-LOG, said that larger ships would help reduce soybean export costs from Brazil to China by 14% as part of logistics actions that are commercial and more environmentally friendly.

“There are numerous ways in which Brazil, as an agribusiness country, can contribute to the decarbonization of the soybean chain, including improving the energy efficiency of trucks, changing fuel types, replacing the use of trucks with waterways and railroads, and changing the ships themselves,” Péra explained.

The specialist recalled that a study conducted showed that, in Brazil, between 70% and 80% of the logistics costs associated with soybean exports are internal and are generated in inland transportation to Brazilian ports.

“However, when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, the numbers are reversed: most occur in maritime transport, and the rest occur inland,” he said.

CAPACITY

Brazilian agro-industrial exports are eminently carried out in Panamax vessels, with a holding capacity ranging between 60,000 and 70,000 tons: “Meanwhile, other segments use larger vessels, such as Capesize ships, which can handle more than 100,000 tons per voyage”, he explained.

According to his explanation, the use of Capesize ships would result in environmental benefits and economic ones: “Emissions would be reduced by almost 30%, and soybean export costs to China by around 14%,” he warned.

Currently, only some terminals in Espírito Santo state and the Alcântara Port Terminal in São Luis (Maranhão state) can operate this type of vessel, which requires a draft of at least 15 meters.