ElloX.Digital survey shows an average waiting time of 6 days; bottlenecks reinforce debate on auction of the STS-10 terminal
September 2025 recorded one of the worst levels of punctuality in recent months. According to the DetentionZero bulletin, prepared by the startup, 75% of the ships that docked at the port complex had changes in deadlines, with an average of 6 days.
The survey, based on operational data from BTP, Santos Brasil and DP World terminals, shows that the average delay grew consistently throughout the year. Since January, the rate of vessels with altered deadlines has risen from 58% to 75%.
The scenario increases costs for exporters and cargo agents, with extra storage expenses, pre-stacking and fines for returns outside the established period.
The analysis also shows that 38% of ships had less than 48 hours of open gate (interval between the release of the terminal and its closure for boarding). This operational restriction reduces predictability and increases handling costs.
According to , CEO of ElloX.Digital, the reduction in delays at the beginning of 2025 is related to seasonal factors. “What happened with this drop was that at the beginning of the year the coffee off-season was stronger, the volume fell by around 20, 25%. There was an off-season for cotton, which in some years combined harvest and off-season, because it was very strong, so this year there was a longer off-season”declared to the Poder360.
The expert stated that other ports also recorded less congestion during this period, reflecting a temporary reduction in delay levels. “And other containerized cargo also contributed to this decrease. This reduction did not result in any increase in delays in that initial period of the year”these.
However, the situation changed with the arrival of the 2nd semester, when the sugar and cotton harvests began and coffee shipments resumed. “Then, obviously, the rate of ship delays increased”said Moreno.
Among the most critical cases in September are ships such as the MSC Taurus VII, with a 35-day difference between the initial and final deadline, and the Ever Fine, with 31 days.
SECTOR AWAITS AUCTION
The numbers reinforce the debate about the need to expand handling capacity at the Port of Santos.
The topic is at the center of the discussion regarding the auction of the STS-10 megaterminal, a project that is expected to increase the complex’s container capacity by up to 50%.
The (National Waterway Transport Agency), by , determines two phases in the auction: in the 1st, current operators (such as MSC, Maersk, DP World and CMA CGM) could not participate; If there are no interested parties, the 2nd stage would allow these companies to enter. The intention is to deconcentrate the container market in the largest port in Latin America.
However, it is a single-stage auction, with a divestment clause for operators already installed.
The model with restrictions is also the target of the technical area of the TCU (Federal Audit Court), which considers the prohibition to be illegal and without a constitutional basis.
The (Administrative Council for Economic Defense) addresses concentration risks, but argues that the definitive assessment can only occur after the auction.
The federal government will hold the auction by the end of 2025, but Antaq’s proposal still needs to be analyzed by the TCU plenary. The topic was not put on the agenda by Minister Antonio Anastasia, rapporteur of the court case.
