Port of Rio de Janeiro preparing for arrival of 366 meter vessels

The Rio de Janeiro Dock Company (CDRJ) is working to ensure that the container terminals in the Rio de Janeiro Port will be able to receive vessels of 366 meters in length by mid-2021. To this end, members of the Working Group (GT in the Brazilian abbreviation) responsible for studies to improve waterway access at the port, visited on Tuesday January 14, the Fundação do Mar (FHM) Water Simulation Center (CSA), which has ship maneuver simulators and expert analysis of navigation and operational risk techniques to prove traffic viability of these large vessels.

CDRJ are evaluating the possibility of hiring FHM or the University of São Paulo (USP) to provide this consultancy, because bringing changes to like this require the Working Group – composed of representatives of CDRJ, the Brazilian Navy (MB), Brazil’s Pilotage and the Rio de Janeiro Port Container Terminals – needs to prepare well-grounded studies and analysis before submitting them the relevant authorities.

The manager of the Rio de Janeiro Port’s Vessel Traffic Information and Management System (VTMIS), Marcelo Villas-Bôas, believes a partnership with a reputable institution such as FHM or USP will be key to make the project work: “Simulations will help identify the needs regarding channel widening, buoyancy modifications, dredging, tug capacity, terminal quay capacity, among other factors.” He explained that the 366 meter LOA and 51 meter beam vessel was the reason behind the deepening of the Panama Canal and that it has become the “the target ship, which all ports are seeking to accommodate in order to increase cargo movement”.

Currently, the Port of Rio de Janeiro receives Post Panamax Plus cargo ships, up to 340 meters long and capable of carrying up to 9,000 TEU (unit equivalent to a 20 foot container). The 366-meter container ships are New Panamax class and can carry up to 14,000 TEU in a single trip.

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