Porto Sudeste: Wozmax-Class Vessel Signals Era of Change

Porto Sudeste welcomed for the first time the Cape Apollo, a Wozmax-class vessel measuring 327 meters in length, equivalent to three football fields. The ship, heralded as a game-changer in terms of cargo capacity and logistical efficiency, arrived on the 19th and departed on the 21st carrying 225,000 tonnes of iron ore. Loading this vessel was possible thanks to the new operational draft of Porto Sudeste, which increased from 17.80 meters to 18.30 meters. The Wozmax is the largest solid bulk carrier to dock in the internal waters of Sepetiba Bay and at Porto Sudeste.

“The arrival of the Wozmax marks the end of a development stage for Porto Sudeste that we envisioned from the outset. Iron ore is a commodity that requires volume, and with this class of ships, we achieve much greater competitiveness. This is a tremendous improvement for our business, but also the result of a lot of focus, resilience, and determination from the professionals at the port in pursuing this goal,” said Guilherme Caiado, Director of Operations. “This new milestone enhances our competitiveness, as it optimizes berth utilization, reduces operational costs, and improves freight value,” he added.

The current draft allows large ships such as Wozmax to enter. Reaching the current depth required ingenious rock removal techniques, including diamond wire cutting, which was critical to achieving this new depth. UMI SAN – Hydrography and Engineering carried out the project, which not only increased Porto Sudeste’s capacity but also established new environmental and safety standards.

This achievement also demonstrates a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental goals, and lowering carbon footprint. With a deeper draft, ore and other products can be transported in vessels with a larger cargo capacity.

By docking on February 19th, the Wozmax also ushered in a new era of operational efficiency. The ability to transport 225,000 tons of iron ore in a single trip streamlines port operations while avoiding higher fossil fuel consumption. To put it into perspective, a 50 cm increase in draft allows larger vessels carrying 30,000 tons to enter, an addition equivalent to about two trains of 136 cars.

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