Wilson Sons reports 83% rise in wood pellet exports from Rio Grande Container Terminal in the first eight months of the year

Wilson Sons, a leader in port and maritime logistics in Brazil, has reported a significant increase in wood pellet exports through Rio Grande Container Terminal (RS). The 83% rise has been seen over the first eight months of the year compared to the same period in 2023. A total of 2,748 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) were handled, which is 1,250 more than 2023, equivalent to 1,374 containers or 38,529 tons.

This rise in operations at Rio Grande Container Terminal is particularly due to pellet exports primarily headed for Italy by Todesmade, a timber company belonging to the Todeschini Group. Wood pellets consist of compressed sawdust measuring 1 to 4 centimetres in length, originating from reforestation and considered an important source of renewable, efficient and clean energy.

Wood pellets are becoming a trend in Brazil and in other countries. As it is a biofuel, its sale is a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, serving, for example, as an important source of energy for residential and commercial heating with low environmental impact. According to the Centre for Research in Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the transition to renewable energy is one of the factors that helped the European Union to achieve a 7.6% reduction in CO₂ emissions in 2023.

Paulo Bertinetti, CEO of Rio Grande Container Terminal, sees the growing trend of renewable energy exports. “In a world that needs to seek alternative consumption approaches that are in line with environmental practices while focusing on mitigating impacts, raw materials such as wood pellets have become a wise choice,” he says. “We have a special and attentive eye on this segment and offer the necessary support so that companies like Todesmade can operate from the terminal,” Bertinetti adds.

Andréa Dolfini, export manager at Todesmade, analyses the market scenario for wood pellet exports. "Accurately predicting the wood pellet export scenario for 2024 is challenging, due to many variables at play, such as global demand, climate change, and others. Wood pellets as a source of energy and heat are still underused in the domestic market, that is why new markets must be developed,” she says. “Today, Brazil has Italy as its largest importer and we have not yet reached other markets with the same strength. Virtually all production is exported for residential use, however, the growing global demand for renewable energy sources is a positive point that could change this scenario in the future. Therefore, we are constantly adjusting to market updates and continually investing in efficient and sustainable production. Considering the scenarios of past years, we believe that 2024 will be a successful period for pellet exports", Andréa adds.

Rio Grande Container Terminal is the main access route connecting Rio Grande do Sul to Brazil and the world and, over nearly 27 years of operation, it has become a key piece in the economic development of the state. It currently serves over 3,000 importers and exporters, and receives the main shipping lines calling in Brazil, offering weekly services to all trades from 13 shipowners. With a strategic location, Rio Grande Container Terminal has the capacity to operate 1.4 million TEUs and receive New Panamax vessels along its 900-metre pier, with high productivity, technology and automation, making it the best transshipment choice from the Southern Cone.