UN/LOCODE: BRMCZ📍 Brazil
Port of Maceio (UN/LOCODE BRMCZ)
❖ Coordinates: -9.6700°N, -35.7200°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Fortaleza
❖ UN/LOCODE: BRMCZ
## About the Port
**Port of Maceió (UN/LOCODE: BRMCZ)** is the primary maritime gateway for the state of Alagoas, Brazil. Located at 9° 40′ S, 35° 43′ W on the Atlantic coastline, the port operates within the **America/Fortaleza** time zone (UTC‑03). Its natural harbor benefits from a deep‑water approach (draft ≈ 12 m) and a sheltered basin protected from the prevailing northeast trade winds. Maceió serves as a hub for both **containerized** and **bulk cargo**, handling imports of industrial inputs, consumer goods, and exports of regional commodities such as sugar, aluminum, and timber.
The port is administered by **Companhia Docas do Estado de Alagoas (CDEAL)**, a state‑owned enterprise that coordinates terminal operations, customs clearance, and maritime services. Connectivity is reinforced by a modern road‑rail network: the BR‑101 highway skirts the harbor, while the **Maceió–Maranhão railway** links the terminal to inland production centers.
*Key identifiers*
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **UN/LOCODE** | BRMCZ |
| **Latitude** | –9.67° |
| **Longitude** | –35.72° |
| **Port type** | Mixed (container, bulk, general cargo) |
| **Operating authority** | Companhia Docas do Estado de Alagoas (CDEAL) |
| **Time zone** | America/Fortaleza (UTC‑03) |
---
## History
### Early Development (19th century)
Maceió’s maritime origins trace back to the Portuguese colonial era, when the modest harbour facilitated the export of **sugarcane** produced on the fertile Alagoas plateau. By the late 1800s, the opening of the **São Francisco Railway** extended inland connectivity, prompting the first crude stone quays and modest warehouses.
### Expansion under the Brazilian Republic (1930‑1970)
The 1930s saw the Brazilian government prioritize coastal infrastructure to stimulate regional economies. A series of dredging projects deepened the channel to accommodate steamships, and the establishment of the **Port Authority of Alagoas** formalized administrative control. Post‑World War II industrialization spurred the construction of a dedicated **grain terminal** (1958) and a **tin‑plate dock** (1964), reflecting diversification beyond sugar.
### Modernization (1990‑Present)
The 1990s marked a turning point with Brazil’s adoption of the **Port Reform** (1997), which encouraged privatization and technological upgrades. In 2001, CDEAL commissioned a **container terminal equipped with gantry cranes, RTGs, and a computerized terminal operating system (TOS)**. Subsequent investments added a **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) facility** (2008) and a **cold‑storage complex** (2014) to meet growing perishable‑goods demand. Recent dredging (2022) further increased the permissible draft to 12 m, enabling Panamax vessels to berth.
Together, these phases transformed Maceió from a regional export point into a **multimodal logistics hub** integrated into Brazil’s national and global supply chains.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|------------|-----------|---------------|
| 1‑3 (Container) | 3 × 350 | 12 | TEUs, empty containers |
| 4‑5 (General) | 2 × 280 | 11 | Breakbulk, project cargo |
| 6 (Bulk) | 220 | 10 | Grain, mineral concentrates |
| 7 (Ro‑Ro) | 180 | 9 | Vehicles, heavy equipment |
| 8 (Cold‑Store) | 150 | 8 | Perishables, seafood |
### Container Terminal
- **Equipment**: 3 ship-to-shore gantry cranes (45 t lift), 5 rubber‑tyred gantry (RTG) cranes, 2 reach stackers.
- **Yard capacity**: 15 000 TEU ground slots, 3 000 TEU reefer slots.
- **Throughput**: ~ 1.2 million TEU annually (2023).
- **Digital layer**: Integrated **Port Community System (PCS)** enabling real‑time vessel‑ETA, customs pre‑clearance, and cargo tracking.
### Bulk & General Cargo
The **Bulk Terminal** comprises a conveyor‑fed grain handling system (capacity 1.5 Mt/yr) and silos for soy, corn, and wheat. Adjacent to it, the **General Cargo Quay** features mobile cranes (30‑t), enabling safe handling of project cargo (e.g., wind‑turbine components).
### Supporting Facilities
- **Customs & Inspection**: Modernized **Brazilian Federal Revenue Service (Sefaz)** office with non‑intrusive inspection (NII) scanners.
- **Warehousing**: 250 k m² of covered storage, including a 30,000 m² refrigerated block.
- **Logistics Services**: On‑site freight forwarders, bonded warehouses, and a dedicated **dry‑port** for container stuffing.
- **Safety & Environmental**: ISO 14001‑certified waste management, oil spill response team, and a 24‑hour meteorological station supplying real‑time surf and wind data to mariners.
For further technical specifications, consult the **International Maritime Organization’s Port State Control** database[^1].
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Economic Engine
Maceió handles roughly **30 %** of Alagoas’ total maritime trade volume, translating into an estimated **US$ 3.5 billion** in annual economic output. The port directly sustains **≈ 12 000 jobs**, ranging from stevedores and logistics specialists to customs officials and ancillary services (e.g., ship repair, catering).
### Contribution to National Trade
Within Brazil’s coastal network, Maceió ranks among the top **25** ports by cargo tonnage. Its strategic position—midway between the major hubs of Recife and Salvador—offers a **time‑saving alternative** for exporters from the interior states of **Pernambuco, Sergipe, and Bahia**. The port’s Ro‑Ro capability has been pivotal for the **automotive supply chain**, facilitating the inbound movement of parts from Europe and Asia to assembly plants in Northeastern Brazil.
### Investment & Development
The state government’s **Alagoas Port Development Program (2021‑2026)** earmarks **BRL 800 million** for infrastructure upgrades, including a new **deep‑water berth (draft 13 m)** and expansion of the container yard to a total capacity of **25 000 TEU**. These investments aim to capture a larger share of the **South‑American intra‑regional trade**, especially the burgeoning **soy‑to‑China corridor**.
### Social Impact
Beyond direct economic metrics, the port underpins **regional food security** by ensuring reliable import of fertilizers, agro‑chemicals, and processed foods. Its **environmental compliance initiatives**—such as the adoption of shore‑power (cold ironing) for docked vessels—support Brazil’s broader **National Maritime Policy** goals of reducing greenhouse‑gas emissions.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Trade Corridors
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Types | Frequency |
|----------------------|----------------------|-----------|
| **São Paulo (Port of Santos)** | Feeder containerships, bulk carriers | 3‑4 weekly |
| **Recife (Port of Suape)** | Container & Ro‑Ro | 2‑3 weekly |
| **East Asia (Shanghai, Busan)** | Panamax & Post‑Panamax containerships | 1‑2 weekly |
| **Europe (Rotterdam, Hamburg)** | Container vessels, reefer ships | 1 weekly |
| **North America (New York, Savannah)** | Container, project cargo | 1 weekly |
| **Domestic (Alagoas interior)** | Inland barges, rail‑linked trucks | Daily |
The port’s **Panamax capacity** allows it to serve the **Northern Atlantic corridor**, linking South American exporters to European and Asian import markets. Simultaneously, the **Ro‑Ro terminal** supports an intensive **vehicle logistics loop** with South‑American assembly plants located in Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
### Dominant Cargo Profiles
| Cargo Category | Approx. Share of Throughput | Key Commodities |
|----------------|----------------------------|-----------------|
| **Containerized Goods** | 45 % | Finished electronics, automotive parts, retail merchandise, refrigerated foodstuffs |
| **Bulk Agricultural** | 30 % | Soybeans, corn, wheat, sugar |
| **Mineral & Metal** | 12 % | Bauxite, aluminum billets, iron ore concentrate |
| **Project & Ro‑Ro** | 8 % | Vehicles, heavy machinery, construction modules |
| **Other** | 5 % | Chemicals, petroleum products (via bunker barge) |
The **container segment** has shown a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of **6.5 %** over the 2018‑2023 period, driven by e‑commerce penetration and rising demand for perishable imports such as **fresh fruit and seafood**. The **bulk agricultural** flow remains anchored to Brazil’s status as a global soy exporter, with Maceió acting as a **secondary outlet** for cargo destined for the European Union under the **Mercosur‑EU trade agreement**.
### Future Outlook
Projected **container volume** is expected to exceed **1.5 million TEU** by 2030, contingent on the planned terminal expansion and the adoption of **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** in the yard. Meanwhile, **green logistics**—including the use of **LNG‑powered vessels** and shore‑power—are poised to become differentiators in attracting environmentally conscious shippers.
---
[^1]: International Maritime Organization (IMO). *Port State Control – Port Facility Details*. https://www.imo.org/en/OurWork/PortStateControl/Pages/default.aspx.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
BRMCZ
Country
Brazil
Province / Region
Alagoas
Latitude
-9.670000
Longitude
-35.720000
Timezone
America/Fortaleza
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Maceio?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Maceio is BRMCZ.
Where is Port of Maceio located?
The Port of Maceio is located in Brazil, Alagoas. Its coordinates are -9.6700°N, -35.7200°E.
What time zone is Port of Maceio in?
Port of Maceio operates in the America/Fortaleza 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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