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PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS

Itajai

BRITJBrazil26°53.3′S 048°37.6′WUpdated Feb 2025Open in the Ports tool

PILOTPilot boards at Itajai pilot boarding place.
KEY DATAUTC−3 · IALA B · deepest berth 11.60 m draught

Pilot

updated Dec 2014
12
Blue: Itajai. Magenta: where the pilot boards (numbered as the list). Drawn by NaviBoss for planning, not for navigation.
  1. Itajai pilot boarding place Pilot boards26°55.0′S 048°35.0′W
  2. Itajaí, Navegantes e terminais Rio Itajaí-Açu Pilot boards26°54.3′S 048°33.7′W

Pilot service provided by Practical Services of Itajai Pilotage SC. VHF channels 16 and 14.

Pilot is compulsory. To await or to receive pilot, anchor 0.5nm to 5nm E of South Breakwater. Pilot boards in position 26°54.8'S 048°34.8'W. The distance from the pilot boarding point to the nearest berth is 1.6nm and the distance to the farthest berth is 2.2nm.

At least 6 hours notice should be given by the vessel's agent to the port authority prior to the vessel's arrival.

On arrival call "Itajai Pilots", via VHF Ch 14/16, Callsign: "ZXB23"

Pilot station has 2 red launches with a "P" on side and funnel. Launches always anchor inside the port. In case of bad weather, vessel must wait for instructions in Porto Bello Bay, S of this port. In case of bad weather on sailing, if the pilot is unable to disembark at the entrance to the bar, this must be done in Porto Bello Bay, Tel: +55 47 348 3592.

Key data

updated Feb 2025
LOCAL TIMEUTC−3No summer time.worked out from the port's time zone
WATER DENSITYMean density: River 0.999, Sea 1.016.
LOAD LINE ZONESummer.
IALA REGIONBRed to starboard when entering.from the country
MAX SIZEMax LOA 347.4m, beam 510m, draught 11.6m and146,107DWT.

Size limits

Max LOA 347.4m, beam 510m, draught 11.6m and146,107DWT.

Water density

Mean density: River 0.999, Sea 1.016. During low tide the port is influenced by fresh water from the River Itajai-Acu with the situation changing at high tide when the density is variable.

Load line zone

Summer.

Tides

MHWS, 1.05m; MLWS 0.1m. MHWN, 0.8m; MLWN, 0.3m.

When approaching the entrance care should be taken as both the in going and out going streams set the vessel towards the N; it is advisable to approach the entrance with No 2 Light Beacon ahead on a course of 270°. Between No 2 and No 5 Light Beacons the current sets S, increasing in strength as the vessel comes abeam of the latter beacon, after which the current follows the axis of the channel.

Pilots report that the port is subject to the tide on all the berths. The current flows following the axis of the channel, this being modified by shallow water areas and following along the commercial berths.

Depending on meteorological conditions, winds from the N depress the tidal height and winds from the S increase the tidal height.

Speeds average 2kts, (ebb) max 5-6kts, after heavy rains upriver, speed 1kt, flood max 2kts.

Max draft per terminal

TerminalMax draughtMax LOABerths
Area A Terminal11.60 m334 m2
Terminais Portuarios de Navegantes (Portonave)11.50 m347 m2
Braskarne Terminal8.70 m190 m1
Teporti Terminal8.60 m171 m1
Ambipar Response Terminal——1
Barra do Rio Terminal—153 m1
Cruise Terminal——1

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

Approach

updated Aug 2019

Approach

Approach and entry: The river mouth is approached directly from seaward; entry is through an Outer Channel, length 3,8970m, dredged to 14m, which leads across the bar, with a width of 120-150m, then into the river Inner Channel between two breakwaters, length 3,200m, depth 14m.

Directions for entering harbour: From the vicinity of the pilot boarding position the track leads W passing (with positions from Ponta das Cabecudas Light):

To the entrance of the dredged channel (1.0nm NNE), marked by No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand).

Then N of Pedra de Santa Tereza (0.3nm NW), two under water rocks, marked NE by a lightbuoy (isolated danger).

Then S of the shoal, extending 0.35nm E from No 5 Light Beacon (1.0nm NW) and marked at its SE extremity by No 3 Lightbuoy.

Then between the heads of the breakwaters (0.6nm NE), the S marked by No 2 Light Beacon (white metal column, height 12m) and the N by No 5 Light Beacon (white square concrete tower, height 5m.

Then following the dredged channel, leading between the training wall on the S bank and several groynes extending from the N bank. The training wall is marked by numbered light beacons (port hand), the heads of two of the groynes by light beacons (starboard hand).

A ferry crosses the channel (1.25nm NW).

Then to the turning area (1.5nm NW) off the main wharf, 750m x 400m and depth of 14m. Vessels always berth port side alongside.

Port limits

The E limits of the port are a line joining No 2 Light Beacon, on the head of the S breakwater, to No 5 Light Beacon, at the head of the N breakwater.

The W limit is 15km upstream from the bar.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is no VTMS in operation.

Anchorages

Waiting anchorage situated in Enseada de Cabecudas, up to 2nm distant from South Light, depths of 10m in position 26°54'S 048°36'W.

Prohibited anchorage: Anchorage is prohibited in the channel or turning basin except when it is necessary to wait for another vessel to finish the termination of the manoeuvre of another vessel, or in an emergency, duly authorised by the port captain.

Restrictions

Vessels can enter or sail at any tide with a maximum draught of 10m. Vessels with LOA over 210m can enter and sail in daylight only.

Depths: Depth at bar 10m. Access channel: Width 100m, depth 10m.

Manoeuvring basin: Width 330m, Depth 10m.

Mooring

Vessels should always berth port side to, the port captain should be consulted if starboard side berthing is required for any reason.

Unberthing must always be carried out by passing a doubled line from the stern to the wharf which should not be let go until the turning of the vessel is complete.

During spring tides vessels must use doubled moorings and will only be moved at the pilot's discretion.

Charts and publications

BA 547, 3981, DHN 1801. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).

Reporting before arrival

updated Aug 2010

Health

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates possible.

Customs and immigration

Customs attend throughout 24 hours.

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

Due to the restrictive width, max speed in the access channel is limited to 5kts.

Inspections

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

Port services

updated Aug 2019

Repairs

Most engine or deck repairs available. There are a number of shipyards along the river. Oceana Shipyard, operated by the CBO group, is located at 26° 53.451'S 48° 40.279'W.

Dry docks

Itajai Keppel Shipyard and Navship Shipyard also have drydocks available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available supplied direct by hydrants (12 x 2in) alongside quay. Average supply rate 10m³/hr.

Bunkering: No bunkering facilities in the port. Small quantities can be supplied by road tanker.

Medical

In urgent cases, advise agent of requirements in advance. Hospital is available with 573 beds. Normally no special vaccination required. No presentation of certificates. Health authority Tel: +55 47 348 6204.

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Navegantes Airport, approx 5km. Daily regular flights to Sao Paulo, Rio de Janerio and Porto Alegre.

Working hours

Normally office: 0800-1200hrs; 1400-1800hrs. Vessels: 0001-2359hrs.

About Itajai

updated Apr 2024

Where it is

Itajai, Santa Catarina State, is located in S Brazil. The port is situated on both banks of the Itajai-Acu River approximately 1nm from the commencement of the access channel and the bar.

The port

The port consists of the Public Port and APM terminal on the right (S) bank and Portonave on the opposite side. Goods handled include timber and timber products, frozen poultry, ceramics, paper, machinery, tobacco, vehicles, textiles, sugar and frozen meat.

Traffic

Approx 15,000,000t of cargo, 1,300,000TEU and 900 vessels handled annually.

Questions about Itajai

Where does the pilot board at Itajai?

The pilot boards at Itajai pilot boarding place, 26°55.0′S 048°35.0′W. Itajai has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Itajai in?

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

What is the maximum draft at Itajai?

The deepest berth listed is at Area A Terminal: 11.60 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Itajai?

Mean density: River 0.999, Sea 1.016.

Which load line zone is Itajai in?

Summer.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Itajai?

The UN/LOCODE of Itajai is BRITJ.

Tips from seafarers

What crews who called at Itajai 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 Itajai →

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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.