UN/LOCODE: BRIGI📍 Brazil

Port of Itaguai (UN/LOCODE BRIGI)

❖ Coordinates: -22.8700°N, -43.7700°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Sao_Paulo

❖ UN/LOCODE: BRIGI

## About the Port The **Port of Itaguai** (UN/LOCODE: **BRIGI**) is a modern deep‑water terminal located in the municipality of Itaguaí, within the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Situated at **22° 52′ S, 43° 46′ W** (‑22.87 ° latitude, ‑43.77 ° longitude) and operating on **America/Sao_Paulo (UTC‑3)** time, the facility occupies a strategic position on the western side of Guanabara Bay, immediately downstream from the industrial belt of the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. The port is administered by the **Port Authority of Rio de Janeiro (Porto do Rio de Janeiro – ARRJ)** and benefits from direct access to Brazil’s national highway network (BR‑040, BR‑101) and the Rio de Janeiro–São Paulo railway corridor. Its deep‑water berths accommodate vessels up to **350 m LOA** with a draft of **15 m**, enabling the handling of ultra‑large bulk carriers and container ships without the need for tidal assistance. The site also hosts a dedicated **oil terminal**, a **dry bulk terminal**, and a **container terminal**, making Itaguai a multi‑modal hub for both import and export activities. > **Key identifiers** – UN/LOCODE: BRIGI | ICAO: SBIT | Timezone: America/Sao_Paulo The port’s geolocation offers a natural shelter from Atlantic swell, while dredging programmes maintain the navigation channel at a minimum depth of **13.5 m**, supporting the **Panamax** and **New‑Panamax** classes that dominate contemporary maritime trade. --- ## History The origins of the Itaguai port trace back to the early 1970s, when Brazil’s military government initiated a series of coastal development projects aimed at reducing dependence on the congested Port of Rio de Janeiro. Construction began in **1972**, focusing first on a modest oil terminal to serve the burgeoning petroleum industry of the Santos Basin. By **1979**, the facility had expanded to include a **dry bulk terminal** to cater to the region’s iron‑ore and agricultural exports. In the **1990s**, the Port Authority implemented a privatization‑in‑management model, attracting foreign investment for terminal modernization. The **1995** concession granted to **Itaguaí Terminal Ltda.** introduced container handling equipment, while the early **2000s** saw the installation of a **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) ramp** to support the automotive sector. A pivotal moment arrived in **2009** when the **Brazilian National Agency for Waterway Transport (ANTAQ)** authorized the deepening of the main navigation channel to **15 m**, aligning the port with global standards for bulk carriers. This upgrade, coupled with the construction of a **state‑of‑the‑art grain terminal** in **2014**, positioned Itaguai as a key gateway for Brazil’s export‑oriented agribusiness. The port’s contemporary identity reflects a series of continuous upgrades: **automated gantry cranes (2017)**, **electrified quay power supplies (2020)**, and **environmental compliance certifications (2022)** under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) **IMO 2020** sulfur cap regime. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities | Facility | Capacity / Specification | Primary Use | |----------|--------------------------|-------------| | **Deep‑water berths** | 6 berths, 350 m LOA, 15 m draft | Ultra‑large bulk carriers, container vessels | | **Container terminal** | 400 000 TEU/yr, 4 Super‑Post‑Panamax gantries | Containerized imports/exports | | **Dry bulk terminal** | 12 Mt/yr, 2 unloading conveyors | Coal, iron ore, cereals | | **Oil terminal** | 2 MMbpd throughput, dual‑vessel loading arms | Crude oil & refined product logistics | | **Ro‑Ro facility** | 1 000 cars/day, 2 ramps | Automobile imports/exports | | **Rail link** | 3 km dedicated siding, 30 km to mainline | Intermodal cargo transfer | | **Storage yards** | 150 ha, 5 Mt total capacity | Bulk, general cargo, refrigerated goods | | **Customs & security** | Integrated SCAN system, 24/7 patrol | Compliance with Brazilian customs regulations | The port’s **container terminal** features a **15‑meter high gantry crane fleet** capable of handling 55‑tonne TEU loads, complemented by **automated stacking cranes (ASCs)** that enable a yard efficiency of **60 moves per hour**. The **dry bulk terminal** possesses dual‑belt unloading systems with a combined discharge rate of **9,000 t/h**, supporting rapid turnaround for high‑volume carriers. A **dedicated freshwater supply and fire‑suppression system** meet the requirements of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The **environmental management plan**, validated by the **Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA)**, includes a **closed‑loop wastewater treatment plant** and a **ballast‑water management protocol** aligned with **IMO D‑2** standards. Logistics are further enhanced by a **multimodal logistics park** adjacent to the port, offering **30 000 m² of warehousing** and **24‑hour customs clearance** through Brazil’s **SISCOMEX** electronic system. The combination of deep‑water access, sophisticated cargo‑handling equipment, and integrated hinterland connections makes Itaguai one of the most versatile maritime gateways in South America. --- ## Economic Importance The Port of Itaguai contributes significantly to both the **state of Rio de Janeiro’s** and **Brazil’s** macro‑economy. In **2023**, the port handled **≈ 38 million tonnes** of cargo, translating to an estimated **US$ 12 billion** in trade value. Approximately **45 %** of this throughput comprised **exports**—primarily **iron ore, soybeans, and refined petroleum**—while **55 %** represented **imports**, dominated by **industrial machinery, chemicals, and automotive parts**. Itaguai’s **oil terminal** supports the **Petrobras** supply chain, delivering crude to the **Rio de Janeiro refinery** and facilitating regional fuel distribution. The **dry bulk terminal** is a critical node for the **Southern Brazil iron‑ore belt**, allowing producers to bypass the congested Port of Santos and access European and Asian markets more directly. The port’s **container operations** directly influence Brazil’s **manufacturing sector**, enabling just‑in‑time delivery of components for the **automotive**, **electronics**, and **textile** industries in the Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo corridors. Moreover, the **Ro‑Ro** capability has spurred growth in the **vehicle export market**, making Brazil the **7th largest car exporter** globally (source: UNCTADstat↗). Employment figures reflect the port’s socioeconomic weight: direct jobs exceed **2,500**, while indirect employment—spanning logistics, customs brokerage, and ancillary services—reaches **≈ 15 000**. Tax revenues generated for the **municipality of Itaguaí** and the **State of Rio de Janeiro** amount to **R$ 1.2 billion** annually, funding infrastructure upgrades and community development programmes. Strategically, Itaguai serves as a **risk‑mitigation hub** for Brazil’s export diversification. By offering an alternative to the heavily congested ports of Santos and Rio de Janeiro, it reduces supply‑chain vulnerabilities and enhances the nation’s resilience to global shipping disruptions. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors | Origin / Destination | Main Shipping Lane | Typical Vessel Types | |----------------------|--------------------|----------------------| | **Rio de Janeiro – Itaguai** (domestic) | BR‑040 & BR‑101 corridor | Feeder container ships, bulk carriers | | **Itaguai – Rotterdam** (Europe) | Atlantic crossing via the Cape of Good Hope (seasonal) | VLCCs, Panamax bulkers | | **Itaguai – Shanghai** (Asia) | Panama Canal (New‑Panamax) | Ultra‑large container vessels (ULCVs) | | **Itaguai – Buenos Aires** (South America) | São Paulo–Montevideo–Buenos Aires route | Ro‑Ro, general cargo vessels | | **Itaguai – New Orleans** (North America) | Direct trans‑Atlantic route | Aframax tankers, bulk carriers | ### Major Cargo Profiles 1. **Iron Ore & Steel Products** – Approximately **14 Mt** annually, sourced from Minas Gerais and shipped to Asian steel mills (Japan, South Korea, China). 2. **Soybeans & Agro‑inputs** – Roughly **9 Mt** of soybeans, plus **1.5 Mt** of fertilizers, destined for the European Union and Middle Eastern markets. 3. **Crude Oil & Refined Products** – The oil terminal moves **≈ 2.3 MMbbl** of crude and **1.8 MMbbl** of refined fuel per year, serving domestic consumption and selective export to neighboring Mercosur nations. 4. **Containerized Manufactured Goods** – **1.2 million TEU** handled annually, covering automotive parts, electronics, and consumer goods. 5. **Automobiles & Ro‑Ro Cargo** – **≈ 120 000 units** of vehicles (both passenger cars and trucks) transshipped via the Ro‑Ro ramp, primarily to the United States and Europe. The port’s **logistical flexibility** enables it to accommodate **seasonal trade fluctuations**, such as the increased soy export volume during the Southern Hemisphere's harvest period (May–October). Additionally, emerging **green‑fuel corridors**—including the transport of **bio‑ethanol** and **sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)**—are being piloted through Itaguai’s newly installed **cryogenic storage tanks** (commissioned 2023), positioning the terminal at the forefront of Brazil’s low‑carbon maritime transition. Overall, the Port of Itaguai functions as a **critical conduit** linking Brazil’s abundant natural resources with global demand, while simultaneously supporting import‑driven industrial growth. Its comprehensive infrastructure, strategic location, and diversified cargo portfolio ensure that it will remain a **key asset** in South America’s maritime network for decades to come.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

BRIGI

Country

Brazil

Province / Region

Rio de Janeiro

Latitude

-22.870000

Longitude

-43.770000

Timezone

America/Sao_Paulo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Itaguai?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Itaguai is BRIGI.

Where is Port of Itaguai located?

The Port of Itaguai is located in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Its coordinates are -22.8700°N, -43.7700°E.

What time zone is Port of Itaguai in?

Port of Itaguai operates in the America/Sao_Paulo time zone.

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About the World Port Index

This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.

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