The Madeira River in Brazil transported 12.1 million tons of cargo throughout 2025, marking a 20.4 per cent rise from the previous year. The National Agency for Waterway Transportation reported that the corridor maintained its logistical flow between Porto Velho and the Amazon River during periods of drought.
The Ministry of Ports and Airports confirmed that the waterway managed to increase transport volumes despite hydrological difficulties such as a reduction in river levels. This activity supported the productive chain across the Northern Region for commerce, agriculture, and services throughout the year.
Soybeans represented the highest volume of transported goods at seven million tons during the twelve month period. Corn followed with three million tons, while oil accounted for one million tons of the total tonnage.
National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation Otto Burlier noted that technical actions were necessary to ensure predictability for transport operators. He mentioned that continuous monitoring of hydrological conditions allowed the sector to reduce risks during river level variations.
“Maintaining the waterway operational even with variations in river levels is fundamental to guaranteeing the safety of the population and the stability of the region's economic activities,” Burlier remarked.
