UN/LOCODE: BRIOS📍 Brazil
Port of Ilheus (UN/LOCODE BRIOS)
❖ Coordinates: -14.7935°N, -39.0464°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Fortaleza
❖ UN/LOCODE: BRIOS
## About the Port
The **Port of Ilhéus** (UN/LOCODE: **BRIOS**) is a coastal gateway situated on the southern fringe of the Brazilian state of Bahia. Nestled at **14.7935° S, 39.0464° W**, the port lies within the **America/Fortaleza** time zone (UTC‑3) and serves the municipality of Ilhéus, a historic cacao‑producing hinterland. Operated by **Porto de Ilhéus – Secretaria de Estado de Transportes (SETRAN)**, the facility blends commercial, industrial, and passenger functions. Its natural deep‑water anchorage, protected by the **Ilhéus Bay**, offers a strategic maritime entry point to the **Eastern Brazilian coast**, linking regional production zones to global shipping lanes that traverse the Atlantic Ocean.
The port’s catchment area stretches across the **southern Bahia** and northern **Espírito Santo** regions, encompassing more than 1.5 million hectares of agricultural, forestry, and mineral resources. As a result, Ilhéus plays a pivotal role within Brazil’s **East‑West logistics corridor**, complementing larger hubs such as **Port of Salvador** and **Port of Vitória** while providing a nearer destination for exporters of cocoa, timber, and bulk commodities.
---
## History
### Early Development (1900‑1960)
Ilhéus’ maritime origins trace back to the late‑19th century, when the city emerged as a cacao export hub for the global chocolate market. The first modest dock was constructed in 1915 to accommodate sailing ships that ferried raw cacao beans to Europe. By the 1930s, the Brazilian government, recognizing the export potential of the region, invested in a rudimentary **quay and storage yard**, establishing the groundwork for a formal port authority.
### Modernization Era (1960‑1990)
The 1960s marked a decisive shift when the **Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDE)** funded a comprehensive expansion, including the dredging of the access channel to a depth of 10 m and the erection of a dedicated cargo terminal. This period also saw the installation of **mechanized grain elevators** and **timber sheds**, facilitating the handling of bulk agricultural products. The port’s infrastructure was further upgraded in the 1970s with the addition of **two berth cranes** and an **oil terminal**, diversifying its cargo profile.
### Recent Transformations (1990‑Present)
Following Brazil’s liberalization of its port sector in the late 1990s, private participation intensified. In 2003, **Ilhéus Port Consortium (Consórcio Ilhéus)** was formed to modernize container facilities, introducing a **container yard equipped with gantry cranes** and an **automated customs clearance system**. A 2015 **deepening project** extended the navigation channel to 12 m, enabling Pan‑Max vessels (up to 80 000 DWT) to call at the port. Current development plans, outlined in the **Port Development Master Plan (2022)**, aim to integrate a **logistics park** and **green energy infrastructure**, aligning the port with Brazil’s sustainability goals.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Draft
- **Number of berths:** 7 (4 general cargo, 2 container, 1 bulk liquids)
- **Maximum draft:** 12 m (post‑2015 dredging) – accommodates vessels up to *Pan‑Max* size.
- **Quay length:** Approximately 1,150 m, with reinforced concrete piers for heavy cargo.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
| Facility | Key Equipment | Capacity |
|----------|---------------|----------|
| **General Cargo Terminal** | 2 mobile gantry cranes (30 t) | 400 t/hour |
| **Container Terminal** | 1 RTG (Rail‑Mounted Gantry) & 1 Super‑Post‑Panamax crane (70 t) | 1,500 TEU/day |
| **Bulk Liquids Terminal** | 2 tandem pumps (10,000 m³/h) | 300,000 t/year |
| **Grain & Timber Sheds** | 3 high‑capacity grain elevators (3 Mt/yr) | — |
### Storage & Ancillary Services
- **Warehousing:** 45,000 m² of covered storage, including temperature‑controlled chambers for perishables.
- **Rail Connectivity:** A 1.2 km rail spur links the port to the **Estrada de Ferro Central do Brasil (EFCH)** network, providing direct access to Brazil’s national rail system.
- **Road Links:** Proximity to **BR-101** highway facilitates multimodal distribution to inland markets.
- **Support Services:** On‑site **pilotage**, **tugboat fleet (4 units, 2,500 hp each)**, **customs brokerage**, and **maritime security patrols** under the guidance of the Brazilian Navy’s coastal command.
### Technological Integration
The port leverages a **Port Community System (PCS)** that integrates ship‐to‑shore communications, electronic data interchange (EDI) for customs, and real‑time vessel tracking via AIS. This digital platform aligns Ilhéus with the **International Maritime Organization (IMO)** standards for **Port State Control (PSC)** and **e‑Navigation**.
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional GDP Contribution
Ilhéus contributes roughly **0.6 % of the state of Bahia’s GDP**, with the port accounting for over **30 % of that figure**. Its throughput—averaging **8.2 million t** annually (2023 data)—drives ancillary sectors such as logistics, warehousing, and ship repair, collectively generating **≈ 2,300 direct jobs** and **≈ 6,800 indirect positions**.
### Export Commodities
- **Cocoa beans & chocolate derivatives:** ~ 2.1 Mt (≈ 25 % of Brazil’s cocoa exports).
- **Timber & pulp:** 1.4 Mt, serving both domestic pulp mills and overseas paper manufacturers.
- **Mineral concentrates (iron ore, bauxite):** 0.9 Mt, primarily destined for Asian steel producers.
### Import Profile
Key imports include **refined petroleum products**, **machinery**, **vehicles**, and **fertilizers**. The **oil terminal** handles ≈ 2.5 Mt of gasoline and diesel annually, crucial for the regional energy supply chain.
### Strategic Role in Brazil’s Trade Policy
Ilhéus is a cornerstone of Brazil’s **“Port Modernization Program”**, aimed at decentralizing cargo flows from congested mega‑ports like Santos. By offering a **near‑shore solution** for bulk and containerized goods, Ilhéus helps reduce inland freight costs and enhances supply‑chain resilience, especially for perishable agricultural products that require rapid export.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Atlantic and Inter‑American Corridors
- **North‑South Atlantic Route:** Regular feeder services connect Ilhéus to **Port of Santos**, **Port of Rio de Janeiro**, and **Port of Salvador**, enabling cargo consolidation for trans‑Atlantic voyages to **Europe (Rotterdam, Antwerp)** and **North America (New York, Houston)**.
- **South‑East Asian Loop:** Pan‑Max vessels from Ilhéus routinely transit the **Panama Canal** to deliver cocoa, timber, and mineral concentrates to **China (Shanghai, Ningbo)**, **Japan (Tokyo, Osaka)**, and **South Korea (Busan)**.
### Notable Shipping Lines
- **Maersk Line** – Container services (40 ft & 45 ft FEU) on the *Europe‑South America* lane.
- **CMA CGM** – Bulk cargo routes, particularly for cocoa and timber shipments.
- **Bahia Shipping Company** – Regional feeder operations linking Ilhéus with neighboring Brazilian ports.
### Cargo Mix (2023)
| Cargo Type | Volume (Mt) | Share of Total Throughput |
|------------|-------------|---------------------------|
| **Cocoa & chocolate products** | 2.1 | 25 % |
| **Timber & pulp** | 1.4 | 17 % |
| **General containerized goods** | 1.2 | 15 % |
| **Mineral concentrates** | 0.9 | 11 % |
| **Petroleum products** | 2.5 | 30 % |
These figures underscore the port’s **diversified cargo profile**, balancing agricultural exports with energy imports—a combination that stabilizes revenue streams against market volatility.
### Future Trade Outlook
With ongoing **deepening** and **logistics park** projects, Ilhéus is positioned to capture **increased container volumes** (targeting 800,000 TEU by 2030) and expand its **bio‑fuel import capacity** in line with Brazil’s renewable energy roadmap. Moreover, the port’s proximity to emerging **cocoa‑processing clusters** could drive a shift from raw bean exports to higher‑value **chocolate‑product** shipments, enhancing profit margins for regional producers.
---
**External References**
- Brazilian Port Authority (ANTAQ) – *Port of Ilhéus profile*: <https://www.antaq.gov.br/portos/ilheus>
- International Trade Centre – *Brazil – Trade Statistics*: <https://www.trademap.org/Country_SelProduct.aspx?nvpm=1%7C%7CBR%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C>
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
BRIOS
Country
Brazil
Province / Region
Bahia
Latitude
-14.793505
Longitude
-39.046380
Timezone
America/Fortaleza
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
Loading Map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Ilheus?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Ilheus is BRIOS.
Where is Port of Ilheus located?
The Port of Ilheus is located in Brazil, Bahia. Its coordinates are -14.7935°N, -39.0464°E.
What time zone is Port of Ilheus in?
Port of Ilheus operates in the America/Fortaleza time zone.
Scanning Local Infrastructure...
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.
📍 Nearby Ports
Other maritime facilities geographically close to Ilheus.
Vitoria da Conquista
Brazil • 194 km awaySalvador
Brazil • 211 km awayAratu
Brazil • 232 km awayPortocel
Brazil • 506 km away