Fortaleza

Size limits

LOA 299.50m, beam 40.0m, draught 11.0m, 71,438DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

Tropical.

Tides

Range 1.64m neaps, 2.82m springs.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Approach

The approach channel has a length 1,200m, width of 100m, depth 10.0-11.0m, beginning at the external part of the port and extending to the manoeuvring basin.

In the buoyed approach channel the depth is 11.0m and leads from the S pilot boarding area to the quays. In the manoeuvring basin and the internal anchorage the depth of water varies from 7.0-11.0m.

The manoeuvring basin, width 300m, depth 8.0-10.0m, extends the entire length of the quays.

Port limits

The port of Fortaleza is bounded by the Titan's breakwater to the N, by a line from its extremity bearing 235°, by the meridian 038°29.08'W and by the coast.

Anchorages

Depending on vessel size and description, Anchorage Area 1 and Anchorage Area 2 are also designated Quarantine and Explosive Anchorage Areas.

Tugs

There are 6 tugs available with capacity of 1,010-2,406hp.

The amount of tugs required depends on the size of vessel, details for which are advised and can also be found in the Port Regulations.

Charts and publications

BA 526, 3955 and 3957. Brazilian Chart 701. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

At least two hours notice of ETA should be given to pilots.

Documents

Port without paper programme: The Brazilian Federal Ports Bureau's Porto Sem Papel - PSP (Port Without Paper) programme was implemented at Santos Port in 2011. Initially, this will work alongside the old paper system. Several ports are now using PSP, including Fortaleza. It is planned to introduce this system at all 34 public ports of Brazil. See Country Section for additional information.

Health

Issue of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates possible.

Customs and immigration

Contraband: Brazilian laws are very strict with respect to smuggling and Masters are requested to instruct their crews not to take more than 2 packets of cigarettes and other articles ashore. Cigarettes in cartons, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, narcotics, souvenirs, explosives, firearms, etc should be collected prior to arrival in port and listed with the items in the Crew's Personal Effects List and placed in the custody of the master.

Immigration: All a vessel's passengers and/or crew members may only enter the national territory after their documents have been inspected by the federal police department, the revenue authorities and the port health authorities.

Vessels owners are responsible for the disembarkation and the embarkation of transit passengers as well as crew members who fail to join a vessel before it sails. Such responsibility includes the maintenance and other expenses until repatriation. In the event of non existence of a compulsory deposit as guarantee to cover such expenses, owners will sign, at the federal police department, a form of responsibility inherent to such obligations as therein expressed.

Flags

All vessels, while in Brazilian ports, must fly the Brazilian national flag from 0800hrs to sunset.

Notices and regulations

Vessels may only berth once cargo has been cleared. Once berthed, the vessel is to operate without stopping, reaching a rate of 70tph/gang. Should vessel stop for any reason other than "Force Majeure" of should rate not be attained, the port operator will be fined by the port administration and wharfage will be charged at double the normal rate against the vessel.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Comissao Nacional de Seguranca Publica nos Portos, Terminais e Vias Navegaveis - CONPORTOS.

Contact person: Ezio Borghetti.

Position: Secretario Executivo.

Address: Esplenada dos Ministerios, Bloco T, 5 andar - Ministerio da Justica, DF, 70064-900, Brasilia, Brazil.

Tel: +55 61 429 3173.

Fax: +55 61 429 9169.

E-mail: [email protected]

Website: http://www.mj.gov.br

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

There are several marine repair services workshops available includes structural damage, sandblasting, painting and general maintenance.

Dry docks

The yard is available in workshops for treatment, sheet metal cutting, and assembly of sub-sections and smaller blocks, covering 9,500 m2. The constructions and pre-assembly of compartment finishes, including furniture and linings, with an area of ??50 x 70m. Transfer pit for laterally moving vessels up to 70m in length for a distance of up to 160m. Lifting platform for docking and launching vessels, composed of a synchrolift system with 12 winches. Quay for docking vessels for finalizing quay and sea trials, with a length of 350m and a maximum draft of 5.6m.

Three slipways up to 700t and a shiplift of 1,600t, maximum length 60m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

There are several hospitals available in the city.

Crew change

The main entrance gate to the Terminal involves a walk of approximately 1.5km from the Pier.

Transport

Nearest airport: Pinto Martins Airport, Fortaleza, 10km.

Airport facilities: Domestic service linking with international connections.

Nearest railway: The port is served by 2 railroads.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0730-1130hrs and 1300-1730hrs.

Where it is

The port of Fortaleza is located on the N Brazilian coast, midway between Recife and Belem, in Mucuripe Bay.

The port

The port consists of a commercial wharf, a fishing wharf and a pier for tankers. The commercial wharf is comprised of five berths which handle general cargo, containers and dry bulk cargoes and is operated by Companhia Docas do Estado do Ceara. The tanker pier is operated by Petrobras and consists of an inner and outer berth which can handle tanker vessels of up to 54,000DWT.

What time zone is Fortaleza in?

Local time at Fortaleza is UTC−3. No summer time.

What is the maximum draft at Fortaleza?

The deepest berth listed is at Commercial Wharf: 11.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Fortaleza?

1025.

Which load line zone is Fortaleza in?

Tropical.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Fortaleza?

The UN/LOCODE of Fortaleza is BRFOR.

What crews who called at Fortaleza say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

Read and add tips for Fortaleza →