UN/LOCODE: BRSPB📍 Brazil
Port of Porto de Itaguai (UN/LOCODE BRSPB)
❖ Coordinates: -22.9200°N, -43.8200°E
❖ Time Zone: America/Sao_Paulo
❖ UN/LOCODE: BRSPB
## About the Port
Porto de Itaguai (UN/LOCODE **BRSPB**) is a strategically located container and bulk terminal on the western shore of Guanabara Bay, approximately 45 km southwest of Rio de Janeiro’s city centre. Sitting at **22° 55′ 12″ S, 43° 49′ 12″ W**, the port operates under the **America/Sao_Paulo** time zone (UTC‑3/‑2 DST) and serves the broader Rio de Janeiro state industrial corridor. Managed by the **Port Authority of Rio de Janeiro (ARJ)**, Itaguai functions as a gateway for import‑export traffic, especially for the petrochemical, steel, and agricultural sectors that dominate the region’s economic landscape.
Key identifiers that appear in maritime databases and cargo booking systems include the five‑character LOCODE **BRSPB**, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) terminal code **9390000**, and the Automatic Identification System (AIS) beacon **8713320**. These identifiers enable seamless integration with global supply‑chain platforms such as the **BIMCO** electronic trade documents and the **UNCTAD** trade statistics portal.
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## History
The origins of Porto de Itaguai trace back to the late 19th century when the Brazilian Imperial Government inaugurated a modest wharf to support the sugar‑cane plantations of the Vale do Paraíba. The facility gained prominence in the 1930s with the construction of the **Petrobras** refinery complex, prompting the first large‑scale dredging projects that deepened the access channel to **13 m** (42 ft) draft.
During Brazil’s “Economic Miracle” (1968‑1975), the port underwent a comprehensive modernization programme funded by the **Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES)**. Concrete berths, a mechanized cargo‑handling yard, and the first roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramp were installed, converting Itaguai into a multi‑modal hub.
The 1990s liberalization of Brazil’s port sector saw the concession of terminal operations to private operators under the **Port Law (Lei dos Portos)**. In 2002, **DP World Brazil** secured a 30‑year concession for the container terminal, introducing state‑of‑the‑art gantry cranes and automated gate systems. Recent upgrades (2018‑2022) have focused on sustainability, including the installation of a 10 MW solar farm and shore‑power (cold‑iron) capabilities to reduce vessel emissions in compliance with the **IMO 2020** sulfur cap.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Specification | Operational Note |
|----------|----------------|------------------|
| **Berths** | 6 general cargo berths (13 m draft) + 2 dedicated container berths (15 m draft) | Crane‑equipped with 5 RTG (Rubber‑Tyred Gantry) and 3 STS (Ship‑to‑Shore) units |
| **Quay Length** | 1,950 m total (≈ 325 m per berth) | Reinforced concrete, capable of handling Panamax and post‑Panamax vessels |
| **Cargo Yards** | 120 ha of open storage, 35 ha of covered warehouses | Integrated with a 12 km internal rail siding (standard gauge) |
| **Equipment** | 8 mobile harbor cranes (30‑t), 4 reach stackers, 2 forklifts, 6 conveyor belts (grain) | Automated terminal operating system (TOS) from **Navis** |
| **Depth & Navigation** | Dredged channel depth 13 m, turning circle 350 m | Regular hydrographic surveys every 24 months per **IBAMA** standards |
| **Intermodal Links** | 2‑lane highway (RJ‑040), direct rail link to **MRS** (MRS Logística) network, adjacent to the **Itaguaí–Porto de Itaguaí** industrial park | Enables door‑to‑door logistics for bulk commodities and finished goods |
| **Support Services** | Customs clearance (ANVISA/Receita Federal), quarantine labs, pilotage, tug‑assist (2‑tug fleet) | 24‑hour pilotage mandatory for vessels > 80 000 dwt |
The port’s **cold‑iron shore power** (CISP) system supplies up to 10 MW of electricity to berthed vessels, allowing diesel generators to be shut down while at berth. Additionally, a **waste‑water treatment plant** processes both ship‑generated and terminal effluents, meeting the stringent discharge limits set by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment.
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## Economic Importance
Porto de Itaguai is a linchpin of Brazil’s southern Atlantic logistics network, handling an estimated **8 million TEUs** and **30 million tonnes** of cargo annually (2023 figures). Its proximity to the **Rio de Janeiro petrochemical complex**—home to **Braskem**, **Petrobras Refinaria de Itaguaí**, and **Ultrapar**—means that a significant portion of its throughput consists of petroleum products, ethylene, polypropylene, and associated feedstocks.
The terminal also supports the **steel industry** of the neighboring **São Paulo** hinterland, exporting approximately **1.2 million tonnes** of rolled steel and importing raw iron ore from the **Port of Tubarão**. Agricultural exports, primarily **soybean meal**, **corn**, and **cotton**, flow through Itaguai’s bulk handling facilities, contributing to Brazil’s position as a top‑five global exporter of these commodities.
From a fiscal perspective, the port generates roughly **BRL 2.3 billion** in annual revenue for the state treasury through port fees, handling charges, and ancillary services. Employment statistics indicate over **4,500 direct jobs** and an additional **12,000 indirect positions** in logistics, transport, and manufacturing. The port’s **green initiatives**—including the solar farm and shore‑power infrastructure—have earned it the **“Port of the Year – Sustainable Operations”** award from the Brazilian Association of Ports (ABP) in 2021.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Container Traffic
Porto de Itaguai serves as a hub for both **intra‑Latin American** and **trans‑Atlantic** container routes. The primary liner services include:
- **South America – Europe**: Weekly calls by **Maersk Line**, **MSC**, and **CMA CGM** linking Itaguai with **Rotterdam**, **Antwerp**, and **Hamburg**.
- **South America – North America**: Bi‑weekly services to **New York**, **Savannah**, and **Houston** via **Hapag‑Lloyd** and **ONE**.
- **South America – Asia**: Monthly calls to **Shanghai**, **Busan**, and **Singapore**, predominantly operated by **COSCO Shipping** and **ONE**.
The dominant containerized cargoes are **electronics**, **automotive parts**, **pharmaceuticals**, and **consumer goods**, reflecting the demand from Brazil’s burgeoning middle class and the export of value‑added manufactured products.
### Bulk & Project Cargo
- **Petroleum Products**: Refined gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG are imported from the **Middle East** (Saudi Arabia, Qatar) and the **United States Gulf**, then distributed inland via rail and pipeline networks.
- **Chemical Feedstocks**: Ethylene and propylene are shipped from **Saudi Aramco** and **Sabic**, supporting the downstream plastics industry in the Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo regions.
- **Steel & Iron Ore**: Iron ore imports from **Brazilian mining ports** (e.g., **Port of Tubarão**) are blended with domestic steel scrap for production at **Companhia Siderúrgica Nacional (CSN)** facilities.
- **Agricultural Commodities**: Soybean meal and corn imports from the **U.S. Midwest** complement Brazil’s own output, while local soybeans, coffee, and fruit are exported primarily to **European Union** and **Asian** markets.
### Project Cargo
The port’s deep‑draft berths and on‑site heavy‑lift crane (250 t capacity) make it a preferred gateway for **wind‑farm components**, **oil‑rig modules**, and **large‑scale infrastructure equipment** destined for the expanding **offshore wind** and **oil‑gas** sectors along Brazil’s coastline.
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*For further technical specifications and real‑time berth availability, consult the official Port Authority of Rio de Janeiro portal (ARJ – Porto de Itaguai↗) and the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations database (UN/LOCODE BRSPB↗).*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
BRSPB
Country
Brazil
Province / Region
Rio de Janeiro
Latitude
-22.920000
Longitude
-43.820000
Timezone
America/Sao_Paulo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Porto de Itaguai?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Porto de Itaguai is BRSPB.
Where is Port of Porto de Itaguai located?
The Port of Porto de Itaguai is located in Brazil, Rio de Janeiro. Its coordinates are -22.9200°N, -43.8200°E.
What time zone is Port of Porto de Itaguai in?
Port of Porto de Itaguai operates in the America/Sao_Paulo time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height1.16 m
Wave Direction148°
Swell Height0.9 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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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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