Uruguay's Navios Handles 3.7 Million Tons in First Half, Iron Ore Growth Offsets Grain Decline

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Navios South American Logistics handled a total of 3.7 million tons of cargo through its Nueva Palmira terminal in the first half of this year, roughly flat compared with the same period in 2025, but the cargo mix shifted notably: grain volumes fell due to drought, iron ore volumes rose, and the liquid cargo segment continued to grow. Wilder Schenck, the company's operations director, discussed the performance of the grain, mineral, and liquid terminals in an interview with Altamar News.

The grain terminal handled 1.4 million tons of cargo between January and June, down about 300,000 tons year-on-year. Schenck said the first quarter performed well, while the second quarter absorbed the full decline as drought reduced soybean output, with the drop affecting both Uruguayan-origin cargo and shipments arriving via the Paraguay-Paraná waterway (hidrovía Paraguay-Paraná).

The mineral terminal handled 2.23 million tons of iron ore in the first half, up about 380,000 tons year-on-year. The increase almost fully offset the contraction in the grain business, keeping the company's total operating volume stable. Schenck expects iron ore to close the year at around 4.2 million tons, flat compared with 2025.

The liquid terminal handled 50,000 cubic meters of cargo, mainly soybean oil and fuel. Although still relatively small in scale, this represented growth of nearly 60% year-on-year. Driven by the launch of a new marine diesel supply business, the segment's outlook for the second half is positive.

On the infrastructure front, two new specialized terminals are nearing completion: one for bunkering tugboats flying foreign flags, and another for liquid cargo operations via barges, with full commissioning planned by the end of August. The new facilities have a draft of 4.5 meters, can handle the Jumbo-type and Mississippi-type barges most commonly used on the Paraguay-Paraná waterway, and are equipped with pipes, valves, metering instruments, and other specialized equipment, connected to the on-site tank farm to improve operational efficiency. Grain shipments will continue to be affected by the previous harvest season.