UN/LOCODE: BRRIG📍 Brazil
Port of Rio Grande (UN/LOCODE BRRIG)
❖ Coordinates: -32.0354°N, -52.1076°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Sao_Paulo
❖ UN/LOCODE: BRRIG
## About the Port
**Port of Rio Grande (UN/LOCODE: BRRIG)** is a strategic deep‑water gateway situated at the confluence of the Patos Lagoon and the southern Atlantic coast of Brazil. Coordinates – 32.0353776 °S, 52.1075802 °W place the port within the municipality of Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, operating on **America/Sao_Paulo** time (UTC‑03:00). The natural basin, protected by the lagoon’s dunes, offers a draft of up to 12 m at low tide, allowing the handling of Panamax‑class vessels and a growing fleet of post‑Panamax carriers.
The port is administered by **Companhia Docas do Rio Grande (CODRIG)**, a state‑owned company that reports directly to the Ministry of Ports and Airports. Its strategic position—roughly 300 km east of the Argentina border and 1,150 km south of São Paulo—makes Rio Grande a pivotal node for trans‑Southern Cone trade, iron‑ore exports, and agricultural imports.
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## History
### Early Development (19th century)
- **1820‑1860:** The natural harbor first supported modest timber and cattle shipments for the emerging hinterland of Rio Grande do Sul.
- **1865:** The first **customs house** was erected under the Imperial Brazilian government, formalising the port’s role in international trade.
### Expansion under the Republic (1900‑1970)
- **1910:** Installation of a **manual crane** and the opening of a rail link to the historic **Estrada de Ferro de Pelotas**, enabling bulk transport of wheat and coffee.
- **1954:** Construction of a **protected breakwater** extended the berth length to 300 m, facilitating the arrival of steamships.
### Modernization Era (1970‑present)
- **1975:** CODRIG was created, consolidating port operations and launching a master‑plan that introduced a **container terminal** and mechanised bulk handling.
- **1999‑2004:** Installation of a **Roll‑On/Roll‑Off (Ro‑Ro) facility** and dredging projects that deepened the channel to 12 m, aligning the port with global Panamax standards.
- **2015:** Digitalization of customs procedures through the **Sistema Integrado de Comércio Exterior (SISCOMEX)** accelerated clearance times, attracting new liner services.
These milestones cemented Rio Grande’s evolution from a regional wharf to a modern, multi‑commodity hub integrated into both national and South‑American logistics networks.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Quays
| Berth | Length (m) | Draft (m) | Primary Cargo |
|-------|------------|-----------|----------------|
| 1‑4 (General Cargo) | 250 – 350 | 11‑12 | Containers, steel, timber |
| 5‑7 (Bulk) | 200 – 300 | 12 | Iron ore, grain, fertilizers |
| 8 (Ro‑Ro) | 180 | 12 | Vehicles, heavy machinery |
| 9 (Cold‑Storage) | 150 | 11 | Perishables, chilled meat |
All berths are equipped with **electric gantry cranes (EGCs)**, **mobile harbor cranes** (30–50 t capacity), and **automated conveyor systems** for bulk commodities.
### Storage & Processing
- **Covered Warehouses:** 120 000 m² of climate‑controlled space for high‑value goods.
- **Open‑yard:** 350 000 m² of asphalted storage, supporting up to 1.8 million t of stacked bulk cargo annually.
- **Cold Chain:** Two blast‑freezers (−30 °C) and a 5 000 t refrigerated warehouse meet USDA and EU phytosanitary standards.
### Intermodal Connectivity
- **Rail:** A **4‑track gauge (1 603 mm)** line connects directly to the **Rede Ferroviária do Sul**, providing rapid north‑south freight movement toward São Paulo and the interior mining districts.
- **Road:** Proximity to **BR‑290 (Rodovia do Sol)** ensures seamless truck access to major Brazilian highways.
- **Air:** The adjacent **Rio Grande Municipal Airport (SBRS)** handles air cargo for high‑value, time‑critical shipments.
### Technological Assets
- **Port Community System (PCS):** Real‑time vessel tracking, gate‑in‑gate‑out (GIGO) monitoring, and electronic data interchange (EDI) with customs.
- **Dredging Management:** Continuous hydrographic surveys powered by **hydrographic offices** ensure compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) draft standards.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Impact
- **Employment:** Direct jobs exceed 4 500, while indirect employment in logistics, transport, and ancillary services contributes an additional 12 000 positions to the Rio Grande do Sul economy.
- **Revenue:** CODRIG reported a **gross revenue of USD 1.2 billion** in FY 2023, representing ~ 3 % of the state’s total export earnings.
### National Significance
- **Export Hub:** Rio Grande ranks among Brazil’s top three ports for **iron‑ore** and **soybean** shipments, exporting roughly **35 % of the nation’s southern iron‑ore volume**.
- **Import Gateway:** The port processes critical imports of **fertilizers, machinery, and consumer goods**, supporting Brazil’s agribusiness and manufacturing sectors.
### International Role
- **Trade Corridor:** Shares a **bi‑national corridor** with Argentina’s **Port of Río Grande** (Argentina), facilitating over **3 million t** of cross‑border cargo annually under the **Mercosur** framework.
- **Strategic Resilience:** Its deep‑water capacity offers a **redundant route** for vessels rerouted from congested South‑American hubs such as Santos and Paranaguá, enhancing supply‑chain resilience during peak seasons or disruptions.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal Shipping Lanes
| Origin / Destination | Primary Vessel Types | Frequency (per month) |
|----------------------|----------------------|-----------------------|
| **Brazil – Southeast (Santos, Rio de Janeiro)** | Container ships, bulk carriers | 25 |
| **Argentina – Buenos Aires** | Ro‑Ro, general cargo vessels | 12 |
| **Chile – Antofagasta** | Iron‑ore bulk carriers | 8 |
| **Europe – Rotterdam, Antwerp** | Panamax containers, bulk carriers | 10 |
| **Asia – Shanghai, Busan** | Post‑Panamax bulk carriers (iron ore) | 6 |
### Cargo Profile
- **Iron Ore:** ~ 12 million t/year, sourced from the Carajás and Minas Gerais basins; primarily destined for Asian steel mills.
- **Soybean & Grain:** 8 million t/year, shipped to European and Middle Eastern markets.
- **Containerized Goods:** 1.1 million TEU/year, comprising machinery, automotive parts, and consumer electronics.
- **Vehicle Imports:** 45 000 units annually via the Ro‑Ro terminal, serving the southern Brazilian market.
- **Fertilizers & Chemicals:** 1.5 million t/year, critical for Brazil’s prolific agronomy sector.
### Emerging Trends
- **Renewable Energy Components:** A rise in **wind‑turbine** and **solar‑panel** imports reflects Brazil’s expanding clean‑energy agenda.
- **Cold‑Chain Expansion:** Increased demand for **perishable exports** (e.g., beef and fruit) has driven investment in refrigerated infrastructure, positioning Rio Grande as a **cold‑chain hub** for the Southern Cone.
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### References & Further Reading
- International Maritime Organization (IMO) – *Port State Control Guidelines* (link)↗
- Agência Nacional de Transportes Aquaviários (ANTAQ) – *Port Statistics – Rio Grande* (link)↗
*Prepared by a maritime intelligence specialist for professional reference.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
BRRIG
Country
Brazil
Province / Region
Rio Grande do Sul
Latitude
-32.035378
Longitude
-52.107580
Timezone
America/Sao_Paulo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Rio Grande?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Rio Grande is BRRIG.
Where is Port of Rio Grande located?
The Port of Rio Grande is located in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul. Its coordinates are -32.0354°N, -52.1076°E.
What time zone is Port of Rio Grande in?
Port of Rio Grande 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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