UN/LOCODE: BRREC📍 Brazil

Port of Recife (UN/LOCODE BRREC)

❖ Coordinates: -8.0578°N, -34.8829°E

❖ Time Zone: America/Fortaleza

❖ UN/LOCODE: BRREC

## About the Port The **Port of Recife (UN/LOCODE: BRREC)** is Brazil’s principal gateway on the Atlantic coast of the state of Pernambuco. Situated at latitude -8.0578381 and longitude -34.8828969, the port operates within the **America/Fortaleza** time zone (UTC‑3). Its natural harbor, protected by Recife’s iconic “Five Bridges” and a series of offshore islands, offers deep‑water access for Panamax‑class vessels and, increasingly, for post‑Panamax ships after recent dredging projects. Strategically positioned near the northeastern Brazilian hinterland, Recife serves as a logistical hub for the Agreste and Sertão regions, linking agricultural, mineral, and industrial production zones to global markets. The port’s land‑side connectivity is reinforced by the **BR-101** highway corridor, the **Natal–Recife railway**, and the nearby **Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport**, facilitating multimodal freight flows. Key identifiers for maritime professionals: - **UN/LOCODE:** BRREC - **Port Authority:** *Companhia Docas do Rio de Janeiro – Unidade Recife* (under the oversight of Brazil’s **Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários – ANTAQ**) - **Operating Hours:** 24 hours, 365 days a year, with berth allocation managed through an electronic slot‑booking system. --- ## History The origins of the Port of Recife trace back to the early 16th century, when Portuguese explorers established a modest anchorage for sugar‑cane exports. By the 19th century, Recife had evolved into a vital node for the **Brazilian coffee boom**, prompting the construction of the first modern dock facilities in 1860. The port’s early infrastructure featured timber wharves, a customs house, and a small ship‑repair yard. During the **World Wars**, Recife’s strategic Atlantic position made it a refueling stop for Allied naval convoys, leading to the expansion of its fuel storage capacity and the installation of a dedicated military‑grade quay. Post‑war economic liberalization and the 1970s “Brazilian Miracle” spurred massive investments: concrete berths, a dedicated container terminal, and the first roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramps appeared in the late 1970s. The 1990s ushered in a period of privatization and modernization under the **Port Law (Lei dos Portos)**, which introduced competitive concession contracts. In 1998, the **Port of Recife Concession Agreement** was awarded to a consortium (later absorbed into the state‑controlled *Companhia Docas*), catalyzing the deployment of advanced cargo‑handling equipment, automated gate systems, and a computerized terminal operating system (TOS). A decisive milestone arrived in 2015 when a **dredging program** deepened the channel to 12 meters, enabling the accommodation of larger container vessels and bulk carriers. The most recent upgrade, completed in 2022, introduced a **green port initiative** featuring shore‑power connections and low‑emission terminal equipment, aligning Recife with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) environmental standards. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities | Facility | Specification | Operational Impact | |----------|----------------|--------------------| | **Container Terminals** | 2 berths, each 350 m long; 12 m draft; equipped with 4 Super‑Post‑Panamax quay cranes (45 m outreach) and 2 gantry cranes (30 t capacity). | Handles ≈ 6 million TEU per annum; supports 24‑hour loading/unloading cycles. | | **General Cargo & Bulk** | 5 dedicated berths (250 m–400 m each), grain elevators (30 kt capacity), and a dedicated ore silo (15 kt). | Services agricultural exports (sugar, soy) and mineral imports (iron ore, fertilizers). | | **Ro‑Ro & Car Terminal** | 2 ramps, 300 m overall length; 12 m clearance. | Facilitates import of passenger vehicles, heavy equipment, and intra‑regional ferry services. | | **Liquid Bulk** | 3 deep‑water berths with 30 kt of crude oil storage, 20 kt of LPG/NG storage, and on‑site desulfurization units. | Supports Brazil’s energy import regime; offers bunkering services for trans‑Atlantic vessels. | | **Warehouse & Logistics** | 120 000 m² of covered storage, 80 000 m² of open‑yard space, and 4 refrigerated containers (30 m³ each). | Enables just‑in‑time distribution for perishable goods and high‑value cargo. | | **Customs & Security** | Integrated with Brazil’s **SISCOMEX** system; 24‑hour customs clearance; C‑TPAT and AEO‑certified inspection zones. | Guarantees rapid clearance and compliance with international trade regulations. | | **Support Services** | Ship‑repair dock (150 m), tugs (2 × 5000 t bollard pull), pilotage (mandatory 24‑hour rotation), and a modern fire‑fighting station. | Enhances operational safety and minimizes vessel turnaround time. | The port also invests in **digital transformation**: a Port Community System (PCS) links operators, freight forwarders, and customs in a single data exchange platform, reducing paperwork and improving traceability. A dedicated **Cold Chain Hub** launched in 2021 incorporates temperature‑controlled monitoring, meeting the ISO 22000 food safety standards. --- ## Economic Importance Recife’s port generates a **direct economic impact of roughly USD 3.2 billion** annually, while its indirect multiplier effects support an additional USD 7.5 billion in regional GDP. The port underpins employment for **over 18 000 workers**, spanning dock labor, logistics, ship‑services, and ancillary industries such as manufacturing and agribusiness. ### Key Sectors 1. **Agribusiness:** Pernambuco is a leading producer of **sugarcane, fruit (especially mango and papaya), and soybeans**. The port’s refrigerated container facilities enable high‑value export of fresh produce to the European Union and the United States. 2. **Mining & Metallurgy:** The northeast region supplies **iron ore and manganese** to steel mills in the Southeast. Bulk carriers regularly unload at Recife before intermodal distribution via rail to the Minas Gerais corridor. 3. **Energy:** Imported **LNG and refinery products** are stored at the port’s liquid‑bulk terminals, supporting Brazil’s growing energy demand and the expansion of offshore wind projects in the Atlantic. 4. **Manufacturing:** The **automotive and heavy‑equipment** sectors rely on the Ro‑Ro terminal for the import of assembly‑line components, while the adjacent **Recife Free Trade Zone** attracts foreign direct investment (FDI) in electronics and aerospace. ### Competitive Advantages - **Proximity to Atlantic shipping lanes**, reducing transit time between Europe, North America, and South America. - **Deep‑water access** after 2015 dredging, allowing vessels up to **190,000 DWT** to berth. - **Integrated multimodal connectivity**, ensuring efficient last‑mile distribution into Brazil’s interior. - **Regulatory stability** provided by ANTAQ’s transparent concession framework, encouraging long‑term private investment. These factors position Recife as a **gateway port** for the broader Northeast Brazilian corridor, complementing the larger Southern ports of Santos and Paranaguá while relieving congestion in those hubs. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Lanes | Origin/Destination | Route Type | Frequency | Typical Vessel Size | |--------------------|------------|-----------|---------------------| | **Rotterdam → Recife** | Container | 5–6 calls/month | 8,000–10,000 TEU | | **New York/Long Beach → Recife** | Container & Ro‑Ro | 4 calls/month | 7,000–9,000 TEU | | **Buenos Aires → Recife** | Bulk (Grain) | 2–3 calls/month | 50,000 DWT | | **Port of Santos → Recife** | Domestic Ro‑Ro | Daily | 5,000 DWT | | **Algeciras → Recife** | General Cargo | 3 calls/month | 6,000–8,000 DWT | | **Port of Dubai → Recife** | Liquid Bulk (LNG) | 1–2 calls/month | 80,000 DWT | ### Top Cargo Commodities - **Exports:** - **Sugar & Ethanol:** ≈ 5 Mt/year, primarily to the EU and Asia. - **Fruits & Vegetables:** 1.2 Mt/year, with a growing niche in organic products. - **Industrial Chemicals:** 0.8 Mt/year, supporting regional pharmaceutical manufacturers. - **Imports:** - **Iron Ore & Coal:** 4 Mt/year, feeding Brazil’s steel sector. - **Petroleum Derivatives:** 2.5 Mt/year, servicing the domestic fuel market. - **Machinery & Vehicles:** 600 k units/year, delivering automotive assemblies and agricultural equipment. The port’s **container throughput** has averaged **5.3 million TEU** over the past three years, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of **4.2 %**. The **bulk cargo** segment registers a steady increase of **3 % CAGR**, driven by rising demand for agricultural inputs and construction materials. ### Emerging Opportunities - **Renewable Energy Supply Chain:** With Brazil’s offshore wind farms slated for commissioning from 2028 onward, Recife is poised to become a staging point for turbine components and maintenance vessels. - **Cold‑Chain Expansion:** Leveraging its refrigerated facilities, the port aims to capture a larger share of the **Latin American fruit export market**, especially to the United States under the **U.S.–Brazil Trade and Investment Framework Agreement**. For a deeper dive into the port’s performance metrics, consult the **ANTAQ Port Statistics Dashboard** and the **World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index** (LPI) for Brazil. --- *This article provides a concise yet thorough overview of the Port of Recife, designed for maritime professionals, trade analysts, and logistics planners seeking actionable intelligence on Brazil’s northeastern gateway.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

BRREC

Country

Brazil

Province / Region

Pernambuco

Latitude

-8.057838

Longitude

-34.882897

Timezone

America/Fortaleza

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Recife?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Recife is BRREC.

Where is Port of Recife located?

The Port of Recife is located in Brazil, Pernambuco. Its coordinates are -8.0578°N, -34.8829°E.

What time zone is Port of Recife in?

Port of Recife operates in the America/Fortaleza time zone.

🌊 Live Marine Conditions

Wave Height1.14 m

Wave Direction126°

Swell Height0.74 m

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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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