Changes in international trade and the search for logistical predictability boosted throughput in the first quarter
TCP, the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal, expanded its leadership in wood exports and now concentrates 37% of the market share for product shipments in its area of influence, comprising Paraná, Santa Catarina, and São Paulo. In the first quarter of 2026, the Terminal exported the equivalent of 27,909 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the segment, representing approximately 364,000 tons of forest products, a 4% growth compared to the same period last year. The data comes from the Dataliner platform and was compiled by the Terminal’s market intelligence team.
The advance occurs amid changes in the global foreign trade scenario. Uncertainties surrounding trade tariffs, combined with the anticipation of the Mercosur-European Union agreement, have led Brazilian exporters to diversify markets and seek operations with greater logistical predictability and shipping availability.
In the first quarter of this year, Mexico stood out as the destination for 55,000 tons of wood products shipped via TCP, followed by the United States with 54,000 tons, and Germany with 31,000 tons imported.
In 2025, TCP had already ended the year as the largest wood export corridor in its area of influence, with 1.4 million tons exported and a 30% market share in shipments — a percentage higher than that of other terminals. The main destinations during that period were the United States, followed by Mexico and Italy.
According to Fabio Mattos, Commercial Manager at TCP, the international scenario has demanded greater adaptability. “The increase in market share for wood exports is directly related to the reliability of the infrastructure and the quality of service offered by TCP to customers in this segment. Thanks to logistical efficiency and proximity to major producing industries, the Terminal stands out as a strategic corridor for wood shipments in the South and Southeast regions,” he explains.
Among TCP’s differentiators for the sector is the offering of 23 regular weekly calls, connecting Paranaguá to main international markets and expanding commercial possibilities for exporters. Another strategic factor is the seven-day free storage period for export cargo.
The main wood products shipped by the Terminal include plywood, sawn wood, fiberboard panels, profiled wood, and carpentry work for civil construction. In the first quarter of 2026, Paraná accounted for most of the throughput, with about 255,000 tons exported via TCP, followed by Santa Catarina with 89,000 tons, and Mato Grosso with 9,000 tons.
The operational infrastructure has also sustained the operation’s growth. TCP features its own bonded warehouse, direct rail connection to the primary zone, and recent investments in capacity expansion and equipment.
Since 2026, the Terminal has operated with a maximum draft of 13.30 meters, allowing greater cargo capacity per ship and gains in operational efficiency. Furthermore, the ongoing rail structure expansion is expected to increase the mode’s operational capacity at the Terminal by approximately 20%.
“Our focus is to provide logistical solutions that allow customers to access new markets with efficiency, predictability, and operational safety. The growth in wood shipments by TCP shows that the Terminal has been consolidating itself as a strategic platform for exporters who need to respond quickly to changes in the global scenario,” concludes Mattos.
