UN/LOCODE: BRVLC📍 Brazil

Port of Vila do Conde (UN/LOCODE BRVLC)

❖ Coordinates: -1.5300°N, -48.7500°E

❖ UN/LOCODE: BRVLC

## About the Port The Port of Vila do Conde (UN/LOCODE: BRVLC) is a strategically vital maritime facility situated in the state of Pará, Brazil, near the city of Barcarena, at coordinates -1.53 Latitude and -48.75 Longitude. Nestled on the left bank of the Pará River, an effluent arm of the Amazon River estuary, BRVLC serves as a crucial gateway for the vast Amazon basin, connecting its rich natural resources and agricultural produce to global markets. Operated by the Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP), the port is an indispensable multi-purpose terminal handling a diverse range of cargo, predominantly dry and liquid bulk, alongside general cargo and a growing container throughput. Its strategic positioning facilitates efficient logistics for the mining, agricultural, and industrial sectors active in Northern Brazil, making it a cornerstone of regional and national trade infrastructure. ## History The development of the Port of Vila do Conde is intrinsically linked to Brazil's ambition to unlock and export the abundant natural resources of the Amazon region. Initially conceived in the early 1980s, the port's construction was driven primarily by the need for a dedicated export terminal for bauxite and alumina, stemming from the significant mining and processing operations established in the region, such as those by Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN) and Alunorte (Norsk Hydro). Inaugurated in 1985, BRVLC initially functioned as a specialized bulk terminal, facilitating the egress of aluminum raw materials. Over the subsequent decades, strategic investments in infrastructure and expansion projects transformed Vila do Conde into a versatile, multi-modal logistics hub. This evolution reflects Brazil's broader economic diversification and increased engagement in global trade, positioning the port to handle not only mineral ores but also agricultural commodities like soybeans and corn, general cargo, and petroleum products, adapting to the changing demands of the international supply chain. ## Infrastructure & Facilities The Port of Vila do Conde boasts a robust and continually expanding infrastructure designed to accommodate a wide array of vessel types and cargo operations. The port complex comprises multiple specialized berths: * **Dry Bulk Terminals:** Dedicated berths equipped with high-capacity conveyor belts and ship loaders handle bauxite, alumina, and other mineral ores, capable of loading vessels at rates exceeding 6,000 tons per hour. There are also facilities for agricultural bulk, including silos and direct ship loading systems for grains. * **Liquid Bulk Terminals:** Specialized jetties and pipelines are designed for the safe handling of petroleum derivatives, caustic soda, and other chemicals, supporting both import for regional industry and export. Storage tank farms with significant capacities are integral to these operations. * **General Cargo & Container Terminals:** Multi-purpose berths cater to general cargo, project cargo, and a steadily increasing volume of containerized goods. These terminals are equipped with mobile harbor cranes (MHCs) and reach stackers, providing flexibility for diverse loading and unloading scenarios. While not a primary container hub, its capacity is growing. * **Dredging and Navigational Access:** The port maintains a dredged depth typically ranging from 12.5 to 13.5 meters, allowing access for Panamax and Post-Panamax class vessels, though draft restrictions can vary with tidal conditions and specific berths. The navigational channel within the Amazon estuary is regularly monitored and maintained. * **Intermodal Connectivity:** BRVLC benefits from strategic road connections to the regional highway network (e.g., PA-483, PA-150), facilitating inland distribution. While direct rail connectivity to the primary Brazilian rail network is limited, significant investment has been made in road-rail transshipment points further inland, and river barge transport remains a critical component of its hinterland connectivity, particularly for bulk commodities from remote Amazonian production sites. * **Support Facilities:** Extensive warehousing, open storage yards, truck parking, administrative buildings, and comprehensive security measures compliant with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code ensure efficient and secure operations. ## Economic Importance The Port of Vila do Conde is a linchpin of the economy of Pará state and a significant contributor to Brazil's national trade balance. Its economic impact reverberates across multiple sectors: * **Regional Development:** As a major employer, BRVLC directly and indirectly supports thousands of jobs in shipping, logistics, port operations, and related services, driving local economies in Barcarena and surrounding municipalities. It stimulates infrastructure development and attracts ancillary industries. * **Mining and Metallurgy:** The port is indispensable for the region's colossal mining industry, particularly for bauxite extraction and the subsequent processing into alumina and aluminum. It enables the export of these high-value commodities, underpinning Brazil's position as a global player in the aluminum supply chain. * **Agribusiness:** With the expansion of agricultural frontiers in Northern Brazil, Vila do Conde has become a crucial outlet for the export of soybeans, corn, and other agricultural products from the interior, providing farmers with competitive access to international markets and reducing reliance on southern ports. * **Foreign Investment:** The port's modern infrastructure and strategic location attract substantial foreign direct investment into industrial and logistics projects within its influence zone, further diversifying the regional economy. * **Energy and Industry:** BRVLC also serves as a vital import point for fuels, fertilizers, and industrial machinery, supporting the operational needs of the region's industrial complex and energy sector. The overall economic contribution of Vila do Conde underscores its pivotal role in integrating the Amazon region into global trade networks. More information on Brazilian port activity can often be found through ANTAQ, Brazil's National Waterway Transportation Agency: https://www.antaq.gov.br/↗. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo The Port of Vila do Conde (BRVLC) is a critical node in various international trade routes, primarily serving the Atlantic basin but with reach to Asia via transshipment hubs. * **Major Exports:** * **Bauxite and Alumina:** These constitute the foundational cargo for Vila do Conde, with significant volumes shipped to aluminum smelters across North America, Europe, and increasingly, Asia. * **Aluminum Products:** Primary aluminum and aluminum semi-fabricated products from nearby industrial complexes are also exported. * **Agricultural Bulk:** Soybeans and corn are major export commodities, primarily destined for markets in Europe and Asia (e.g., China). * **Timber Products:** Limited but consistent exports of sustainably sourced timber and wood products. * **Major Imports:** * **Petroleum Derivatives:** Fuels and lubricants are imported to support regional energy needs and industrial operations. * **Caustic Soda and Chemicals:** Essential inputs for the alumina refining process and other industries. * **Fertilizers:** Critical for the expanding agricultural sector in the Amazon hinterland. * **Machinery and Equipment:** Supporting mining, industrial, and agricultural development projects. * **General Cargo & Containers:** A variety of manufactured goods and consumer products for the regional market. * **Trade Routes:** Vessels frequently ply routes connecting Vila do Conde directly to ports on the U.S. Gulf Coast, the East Coast of Canada, major European hubs (Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg), and West African ports. For Asian markets, transshipment often occurs via major regional hubs like Cartagena, Panama, or other South American load centers. The port's unique position on the Amazon River allows for efficient, low-cost river transport of goods from deep within the Amazonian interior to the coast, integrating the region into global supply chains. Further insights into the port's administration and operational details can be found on the Companhia Docas do Pará (CDP) website: https://www.cdp.com.br/↗.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

BRVLC

Country

Brazil

Province / Region

Pará

Latitude

-1.530000

Longitude

-48.750000

Timezone

Unknown

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

Loading Map...

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Vila do Conde?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Vila do Conde is BRVLC.

Where is Port of Vila do Conde located?

The Port of Vila do Conde is located in Brazil, Pará. Its coordinates are -1.5300°N, -48.7500°E.

What time zone is Port of Vila do Conde in?

Port of Vila do Conde operates in the local 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 Vila do Conde.

French Guiana • 810 km away

Cayenne

French Guiana • 819 km away

View World Port Directory →