Rio de Janeiro Port Deepens Draft to 15.3m, Boosting Capacity and Competitiveness

The Rio de Janeiro Port Authority approved this Monday the completion of the dredging work on the Main Channel of the Port of Rio de Janeiro, marking a significant advancement for Brazil’s port sector. With an investment of R$163 million, PortosRio increased the minimum depth of the access channel from 15 meters to 16.2 meters, enabling an effective operational draft of 15.30 meters.

This draft increase allows vessels to operate with a larger cargo volume, generating an estimated increase of up to 700 TEUs per ship. Additionally, the new depth enables the navigation of large vessels, including ships up to 367 meters long, with a capacity of approximately 15,000 TEUs. This development strengthens port infrastructure, enhances the port’s competitiveness, and ensures greater navigation safety.

See below a comparison of long-haul container movements at the Port of Rio de Janeiro in January and February over the past six years. The data is from DataLiner:

Long-Haul Container Movements at the Port of Rio de Janeiro – Jan-Feb 2020 to Jan-Feb 2025 – TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Another key factor in this progress is updating nautical signals, allowing vessels ranging from 349 meters to 367 meters in length to maneuver efficiently. These improvements position the Port of Rio de Janeiro as one of the country’s leading logistics hubs, boosting its competitiveness and preparing it for the growing demands of global maritime trade.

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