Ponta de Madeira Terminal (known by its Portuguese acronym, TPPM) lies in a strategic position in the state of Maranhão, northeast Brazil, close to the North American and European markets. Connected to Carajás Railroad, it mainly exports our iron ore output.
TPPM is the second biggest port in Brazil in cargo movements, and was rated the best port in the country in terms of operational efficiency in a 2009 study by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.
The terminal’s facilities can accommodate up to four ships at the same time. Pier 1 can receive the biggest bulk carrier in the world, which has a capacity of 420,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT). Pier 2 can accommodate ships of up to 155,000 DWT. Pier 3, which has two berths and three ship loaders, can accommodate ships of up to 220,000 DWT on the southern side and 180,000 DWT on the northern side.