Marli Moreira
Reporter - Agência Brasil

São Paulo - Cargo activity in the Port of Santos, Latin America's largest port, set a new record in the period between January and November, 2005, despite the strong drop in imports in November. The data were announced today (3) by the Dock Company of the State of São Paulo (CODESP).

Incoming and outgoing shipments totaled 66,186,303 tons, 5.66% more than in the first 11 months of 2004. According to the CODESP, exports gave the greatest impulse to port activities, accounting for 46,548,260 tons, 9.3% more than in 2004.

Sugar was the main export item, responsible for 11.86 million tons, 17.74% more than in the period between January and November, 2004. Soy beans were second on the list: 7.28 million tons, up 30.57%.

In November, 2005, in comparison with November, 2004, exports were up 6.52%, while imports fell 19.46%. Over the 11-month period beginning in January, 2005, imports amounted to 19,638,043 tons, as against 20,051,222 tons during the corresponding period in 2004, a decline of 2.06%.

Translation: David Silberstein