The line-up of vessels waiting to load sugar in Brazil's ports climbed to 41 from 38 last week, shipping agent Williams said on Thursday. In a weekly report, it said that 23 vessels lined up in the southern port of Santos, against 22 last week. At Maceio, in north-eastern Brazil, there were 11 ships, up from nine last week. Four ships were at the southern port of Paranagua, against three last week.

Among Brazil's main ports, Santos accounted for 63 percent of the sugar being loaded in Brazil's ports, while Maceio took 22 percent.

Brazil's main center-south sugar producing region completed a record harvest in December. The north-east region, accounting for about 15 percent of national output, is due to continue harvesting until the end of March.

Copyright Reuters, 2005