Suape Port authorized to receive New Panamax vessels

The CPPE (port authority of Pernambuco ports) authorized the Port of Suape to receive New Panamax container vessels, the largest container vessels operating in Latin America. The ship measures 366 meters in length, 52 meters in width, and has a capacity of 14 thousand TEU. Only world-class ports have the infrastructure to receive this type of vessel. It is the largest vessel that can cross through the new locks of the Panama Canal.

Studies by the University of São Paulo (USP) in 2019 proved that the port could receive this type of vessel. Pernambuco pilots actively participated as well as officers from CPPE and towing companies operating in the port. The study showed that Suape has favorable conditions and presents the environmental and infrastructure variables required for the ship to operate. Permission for New Panamax ships could attract new shipping routes to the country, serving importers and exporters in the northeast region, where Suape is the leading port in container handling.

“Suape is the main port of entry and exit for coastal and long-haul navigations to the Northeast and deserved this authorization, so it joins the class of other major world ports. This strengthens Suape’s strategic mission to be a logistics hub for the region and promote our port’s warehouse. Also, with the ability to provide the government with more products on a global scale, we add one more valuable item to the list of attractions in Pernambuco when it comes to attracting new investments”, highlighted the Secretary for Economic Development, Geraldo Julio.

Large vessels are already using the Port of Suape. In July 2020, a 330-meter Sammax container ship capable of carrying 12 thousand TEU docked at pier 2. Ordinance 37/2021, published by the port administration on April 13 in the Official State Gazette, established operational and operating parameters for ships so that Suape could receive vessels with a total length (LOA) between 337 to 366.99 meters and with a maximum width (maximum beam) between 48 and 52.99 meters.

“Being able to receive these mega-containers is an indispensable condition for Suape to be recognized as a high-added-value cargo port in South America with the capacity to receive 14-thousand-TEU vessels”, explains Roberto Gusmão, president of Port of Suape.

The vessels must meet specific requirements to execute maneuvers for entry and docking, or exit and unberthing. These include having at least two pilots onboard and using only natural light. Also, a minimum of four tugs must be used. Once docked, the ship can operate at any time, as the Port of Suape is open 24/7.

Suape Port broke a record in 2020 with 483,919 TEU and 1.6% growth over the previous year. There was a 3.6% increase in containerized cargo from 5.3 million to 5.5 million tons. The agreement signed between Tecon Suape (container terminal) and the Argentine Agency for Investment and International Trade will increase the flow of goods headed towards the Northeast as their origin and destination. As a result, Pernambuco will begin to directly absorb all Argentine cargo bound for the region, with Suape as the official port in bilateral trade.

See the graph below for imports and exports via the Port of Suape since 2017:

Imports and Exports Via the Port of Suape | Jan 2017 – Feb 2021 | WTMT

Source: DataLiner (to request a DataLiner demo, click here)

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