PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Rio de Janeiro
Pilot
- Rio de Janeiro pilot boarding place (Cotunduba Channel) Pilot boards23°00.0′S 043°09.0′W
- Rio de Janeiro pilot boarding place (Santa Cruz Channel) Pilot boards22°56.5′S 043°08.4′W
Key data
updated Mar 2019Size limits
Harbour: Draught 14.2m, LOA 333.3m, beam 50.0m, 117,293DWT.
Offshore: Draught 13.0m, LOA 220m, 60,000DWT.
Water density
1020.
Load line zone
Tropical.
Tides
Range 1.2m.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caju Pier | 14.20 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Manguinhos Oil Refinery | 13.00 m | 220 m | 1 |
| Gamboa Pier | 9.50 m | 333 m | 6 |
| Cosan - Ilha do Governador (RJ) Terminal | 8.00 m | 186 m | 1 |
| Shell Terminal | 7.62 m | 185 m | 1 |
| Sao Cristovao Quay | 7.50 m | 182 m | 2 |
| STS 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 Mar 2019Approach
The commercial harbour of Rio de Janeiro is located around the shoreline of a bay extending 2.0nm WNW from Ilha da Cobras (22°54'S 43°10'W). There is an extensive bank in the centre the bay and a channel has been dredged giving access to the quays which line the shores of the bay. Another channel has been dredged across the mouth of the bay giving access to the container terminal at the NW entrance point of the bay.
Anchorages
Note - more than one anchorage with same number on chart.
Caution: Vessels must avoid anchoring near the tracks used by ferries running between Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. The vicinity of a number of underwater pipelines and cables which lie outside the area given above must be avoided by vessels anchoring.
Restrictions
Presidente Costa e Silva Bridge: The main span of the bridge between Piers 100 and 101 has a vertical clearance of 63m and a width of 263m; the adjacent spans between Piers 101 and 102, have a vertical clearance of 61m. The centres of the spans and the piers on each side of them are marked by lights. Close northward of the bridge the channel between Piers 100 and 101 is marked on each side by a lightbuoy.
Passage under the main span of the bridge is restricted to vessels of more than 50,000DWT or with a draught greater than 12.2m. Other vessels should pass under the spans adjacent to the main span; between Piers 99 and 100 when S bound; between Piers 101 and 102 when N bound. Speed: The max speed of vessels in the channel is 8kts. except in the area between Ilha da Boa Viagem (22°55'S 043°08'W) and Ilha do Manuel (22°51'S 043°07'W), where the limit is 5kts. There is a max speed limit of 6kts in the approach channel to the berth S of the bridge.
Vessels are warned against passing at high speed near naval vessels anchored in the harbour and when under way should keep their anchors hanging above water level in order to avoid the risk of damage to submarine cables and pipelines.
Ferries: The numerous ferries which cross the harbour between Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi will give way to ocean going vessels when they sound one long blast on their whistle or siren.
Tugs
Tugs available from 500 - 2,170hp. The number of tugs to be employed in a service depends on the tonnage of the vessel and/or nature of the berth and respective approaches, as determined by the naval authorities.
Mooring
Tanker berth approx 0.4nm NW of Pier da Praca Maua (22°54'S 43°11'W) with four mooring buoys in depths of 10m to 12m.
MBM Tanker berth consist of four mooring buoys in depths of 10-12m. The underwater section of the pipeline linking it with Manguinhos Refinery, 3nm W, is marked by two beacons and two lightbuoys.
Charts and publications
Brazilian, 1501, 1511 and 1512 from MM/DHN. BA 553, 566. USNOO 24161, 24162. Admiralty Pilot NP5, NP286(7).
Reporting before arrival
updated Apr 2014ETA and pre-arrival notices
Vessel's ETA should be sent by telex, fax (+55 21 22332461), cable or telephone (+55 21 22332454) at least 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival. The ETA message should include the date and time of arrival at the sea pilot station with the estimated fresh water draught.
Notice of readiness
Unless otherwise agreed, NOR can be tendered during usual office hours at Rio de Janeiro.
To be valid the NOR should be given in writing, (letter, telegram or fax). It is recommended that the receiver of the NOR by fax should acknowledge receipt.
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 Rio de Janeiro. It is planned to introduce this system at all 34 public ports of Brazil. See Country Section for additional information.
Health
Officials from Customs, Health, Immigration and Police board the vessel at No 1 anchorage, situated 1.25nm NE of Ilha Fiscal. Vessels are not allowed to berth until they have received these visits and, furthermore, they are not allowed to remain in this anchorage for more than 3 hours.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) can be issued.
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 passengers and/or crew members may enter the national territory only after their documents have been inspected by the Federal Police Department, the Revenue Authorities and the Port Health Authorities.
Vessel 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 maintenance and other expenses until repatriation. In the event of non existence of a compulsory deposit as a 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
Berthed vessel must observe 'Rio Service Regulations', A copy of these regulations is available from the agent or Port Authority.
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 Jun 2026Repairs
The Rio Brasil Terminal or TCO (T1) Container Terminal has taken delivery of two new heavy-duty quay cranes as part of an ongoing modernization program slated for completion in 2029. These strategic assets will allow the terminal to comfortably welcome mega-ships carrying up to 20,000 TEUs and eventually expand total annual handling capacity to 750,000 TEUs.
Major repairs available, including underwater repairs, hull and engines. Ten dry docks, largest 254m in length and 35m wide, 4 floating docks and numerous slipways in Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. The main dock is owned by the Brazilian Government but available to commercial vessels when not required for Government vessels. Floating cranes with 100t capacity available. Divers service may also be obtained. Repair and maintenance services for radar, radio, satellite navigator, gyro compass, echo-sounder etc. are available. Repairs personnel should be contacted through ship's agent.
Dry docks
There are ten drydocks, the largest of which is 254m in length and 35m wide. There are four floating docks and a number of slipways in Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi. The main drydock is owned by the government but made available to commercial use when possible.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available alongside from 87 points, loading rate 50tph. Also available by barge, capacity 450t, loading rate 100tph - 200tph.
Bunkering: Supply by barge, pipeline or road tanker.
Stores: Fresh and packaged supplies are available in large quantities.
Medical
All facilities available. If doctor needed on arrival or making emergency call to land sick persons, cable ETA 12 hours before arrival.
Transport
Nearest airport: Santos Dumont (4km), and Galeao International Airport (15km).
Nearest railway: The port is connected to RFFSA (Brazilian Railroad).
Working hours
Normally 0700-1600hrs, 1600-1900hrs, 1900-0400hrs and 0400-0700hrs.
About Rio de Janeiro
updated May 2022Where it is
Rio de Janeiro is situated on the S and W part of Guanabara Bay.
The port
The port comprises the Ilhe de Cobras naval base, the commercial port and various oil terminals in the bay. There are a number of private terminals specialising in containers, bulk cargo, steel products, sugar and paper.
There is a separate entry for Guanabara Bay Terminals, including the Petrobras DTSE/Gegua Terminal. The ports of Niteroi, on the E side of Guanabara Bay, and Angra dos Reis, 140km S of Rio, are under the control of Rio de Janeiro Port Authority and also have separate entries.
The main port imports are containers, wheat and steel products. The main exports are containers, pig iron and steel products.
Traffic
Approx. 8,000,000t, 370,000TEU, 7,300 vessels and 333,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Rio de Janeiro
Where does the pilot board at Rio de Janeiro?
The pilot boards at Rio de Janeiro pilot boarding place (Cotunduba Channel), 23°00.0′S 043°09.0′W. Rio de Janeiro has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Rio de Janeiro in?
Local time at Rio de Janeiro is UTC−3. No summer time.
What is the maximum draft at Rio de Janeiro?
The deepest berth listed is at Caju Pier: 14.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Rio de Janeiro?
1020.
Which load line zone is Rio de Janeiro in?
Tropical.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Rio de Janeiro?
The UN/LOCODE of Rio de Janeiro is BRRIO.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Rio de Janeiro 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.
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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.