Port guide · UN/LOCODE BR RIO
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Brazil · 22.90° S, 43.17° W
The World Port Index classes Rio de Janeiro as a natural coastal harbor on the South Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 15.5 m and a cargo pier depth of 12.5 m. Norfolk is 7,500 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 15.5 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 12.5 m
- Max vessel draft
- 14.2 m
- From Norfolk
- 7,500 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- NiteroiUnder 10 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel draft of 14.2 m.
- Channel depth
- 15.5 m
- Anchorage depth
- 23.2 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 12.5 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 11 m
- Tidal range
- 1 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 14.2 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Rio de Janeiro is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Tug salvage
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Excellent
- Entrance restricted by tide
- No
- Entrance restricted by swell
- No
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Anchorage
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Floating cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated major.
- Repairs
- Major
- Dry dock
- Large
- Electrical repair
- Yes
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Provisions
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Shore electricity
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with Brazil
- US exports, 2025
- $54.3BLed by mineral fuels and oils
- US imports, 2025
- $39.9BLed by mineral fuels and oils
Other ports in Brazil
The nearest is Niteroi, under 10 km away.
- Angra dos ReisCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 9.4 mBR ADR
- BelemCargo pier 9 m, channel 9 mBR BEL
- CabedeloCargo pier 11 m, channel 5.5 mBR CDO
- Guaiba Island TerminalCargo pier 21.6 m, channel 21.6 m
- ItajaiCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 9.4 mBR ITJ
- ItaquiCargo pier 17.1 m, channel 15.5 mBR IQI
- ManausCargo pier 40 m, channel 11.5 mBR MAO
- NatalCargo pier 11.5 m, channel 10 mBR NAT
- NiteroiCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mBR NTR
- ParanaguaCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 mBR PNG
- Port de AracajuCargo pier 7 m, channel 4 mBR AJU
- Port de SalvadorCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mBR SSA
- Porto AlegreCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 4.9 mBR POA
- Porto de MaceioCargo pier 11 m, channel 14 mBR MCZ
- Porto de MucuripeCargo pier 13 m, channel 11 m
- Porto de SuapeCargo pier 15.5 m, channel 16.5 mBR SUA
- PortocelCargo pier 11 m, channel 11 m
- RecifeCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.7 mBR REC
- Rio GrandeCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 mBR RIG
- SantosCargo pier 11 m, channel 12.5 mBR SSZ
- Sao FranciscoCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 11 mBR SFS
- TubaraoCargo pier 23.2 m, channel 21.6 mBR TUB
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.