Rio de Janeiro Port (RJ) has now joined the group of Brazilian ports capable of receiving New Panamax-class vessels, among the largest in global commercial shipping. The milestone was achieved following completion of dredging works and modernization of the port's access channel, carried out with investments from the federal government through the Novo PAC (Growth Acceleration Program) and PortosRio Port Authority. A total of R$ 163 million was invested in the initiative.
This month, the first vessel to berth at the port under this new operational scenario was the container ship MSC Katrina, a vessel 366 meters in length, 48.4 meters in beam and with capacity to carry 14,131 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units). The ship, flying the Panamanian flag, came from Suape Port (PE) and proceeded to Santos Port (SP).
New operational reality
For a port to receive larger vessels, port infrastructure modernization works are necessary, especially dredging, draft depth expansion, improvements to nautical signaling and operational adjustments. In the case of Rio de Janeiro Port, the access channel underwent dredging works, with investments of R$ 98 million raised by Novo PAC and R$ 65 million by PortosRio.
With completion of the works, the minimum depth of the access channel was increased from 15 meters to 16.2 meters, allowing an operational draft of 15.3 meters and adapting the infrastructure to receive New Panamax-class ships.
The National Ports Secretary, Alex Ávila, stated that the new operational capacity marks an important advance for Rio de Janeiro Port and Brazilian port infrastructure. "The arrival of larger vessels represents a new moment for Rio de Janeiro Port. This advance expands the terminal's competitiveness, strengthens its position in international routes and demonstrates the importance of investments in modernizing Brazilian port infrastructure," he highlighted.
The initiative also increases the port's operational and logistical efficiency, improves navigability and safety conditions, enables operation of larger vessels and reduces operational restrictions and logistical costs. Furthermore, it increases operational predictability and strengthens Rio de Janeiro Port's competitiveness in foreign trade.
Currently, besides Rio de Janeiro Port, only Santos (SP), Salvador (BA), Itaguaí (RJ), Paranaguá (PR), Rio Grande (RS) and Pecém (CE) ports possess operational capacity to receive vessels up to 366 meters in length.
```
