PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Pecem
Pilot
updated Mar 2013Pilotage is compulsory and two pilot services are available 24 hours a day.
Pilots board 0.8nm ENE of light buoy (3°28.90'S 38°48.50'W).
Key data
updated Jan 2023Size limits
LOA 330m, beam 49m, draught 15.3m, 134,007DWT.
Tides
Mean spring 2.70m HW, mean neap 2.08m HW. Average level 1.42m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pier 2 Petrobras | — | 299 m | 2 |
| Pier 3 Multiple Utilities Terminal (TMUT) | — | 260 m | 3 |
| Pier 1 | — | 289 m | 2 |
| APM Terminals Pecem | 15.30 m | 330 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2026Approach
The port can be approached directly from the NNE, starting from the red and white stripe lighted buoy, (3°28'9S, 38°48'5W, light sequence Fl(1).W.10s) visible from up to 8nm and marking the entrance to Pecem harbour. The berths are accessed in a least depth of 15.2m.
There is no access channel and least depth in fairway is 16m to 16.5m. Before expansion of Pier 3 with three additional berth areas, a substantial survey was carried out as to depths and bathymetry.
Manoeuvring area: Between Pier 2 and Pier 3 there is a manoeuvring basin of 310m, for vessels up to LOA 300m. For larger vessels turning should take place with tug support outside the berth area.
Anchorages
Outer Anchorage - Vessels may obtain anchorage in an area, centred on position 3°28.73'S 38°49.49'W, of 0.6nm radius.
Restrictions
There are no restrictions on berthing/unberthing at any tide.
A submarine cable has been laid from a production platform (3°05.4'S 38°47.7'W) to the shore, W of the terminal.
There is a Restricted Area used for rocket firings, established between Ponta Pecem and Ponta de Mucruipe, extending from close to the shore, approximately 35nm NNE and 50nm off the coast.
Tugs
2 tugs available.
Charts and publications
BA 526, 528, 3957. NP5, NP286(7).
US Sailing Directions No 124 (East Coast of South America).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jun 2017ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessels should send ETA 24 hours prior to arrival and advise any subsequent changes.
Communications
VHF: Port Authority: Ch 16, Tel and Fax: 3219 7555, email: [email protected].
Pilots: Ceara Marine Pilots: Tel: 3242 4638.
Ceara State Pilots: Ch 16, Tel: 3242 4638.
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 Pecem. It is planned to introduce this system to 34 public ports of Brazil. See Country Section for additional information
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 Feb 2026Repairs
Repairs and diver service available through local agent.
Bunkers, water and stores
Bunkers: Not available.
Fresh water: Not available.
Transport
Highways: A paved roadway of 20km runs to the main BR222 Federal highway which connects to the N and S of the country via Forteleza.
About Pecem
updated Sep 2026Where it is
Pecem is located on the NE coast of Brazil, in the State of Ceara, approx 22.5nm N of the port of Fortaleza (Mucuripe).
The port
Pecem is a deep water port comprising 2 piers protected by an 'L'-shaped breakwater pier and reached from the mainland by a 2,120m length causeway road bridge.
Pecem Port Terminal (TPP) is run by a consortium, CEARAPORTOS (Ceara Port Integration Company), comprising of Companhia de Logistica da America do Sul (Loxus), Daniel Transportes and Fator Projetos e Assessoria.
The port handles general cargo and containers with the main goods being lemons, bananas, shrimp and cashew nuts.
The LNG Pier is operated by Petrobras for the import of LNG, which is regassed and pumped into the national grid by the "Golar Spirit" while alongside the south side of the pier.
Three new berth areas have been added as an extension to the facilities on Pier No 3 which include facilities for APM Terminals (Pecem).
Traffic
Approx 21,000,000t of cargo, 710,000TEU and 500 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Pecem
What are the pilot arrangements at Pecem?
Pilotage is compulsory and two pilot services are available 24 hours a day.
What time zone is Pecem in?
Local time at Pecem is UTC−3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Pecem?
The deepest berth listed is at APM Terminals Pecem: 15.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Pecem?
The UN/LOCODE of Pecem is BRPEC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Pecem 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.
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.