Sepetiba Bay, Brazil

Port Overview

Sepetiba Bay is located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, approximately 100 km west of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Covering around 305 km², it ranks among the largest bays in Brazil. Its strategic importance stems from hosting major port facilities, including the Port of Itaguaí, which serves as a key gateway for containerized cargo and bulk exports. The bay’s annual container throughput capacity is approximately 1.2 million TEU, making it a vital hub for regional and international maritime trade.

Facilities & Infrastructure

Sepetiba Bay, Brazil hosts major facilities including Sepetiba Tecon, a leading container terminal with advanced infrastructure, multiple berths, and direct rail and road links. Key terminals handle containers, iron ore, coal, and general cargo. Cargo facilities feature modern cranes, high-capacity bulk loaders, and automated equipment. Expansion projects are increasing berth length and capacity, enabling simultaneous berthing of large vessels. The port also integrates customs, banking, and logistics services for efficient cargo handling.

Container Terminals

Sepetiba Bay, Brazil, features the Sepetiba Tecon container terminal at the Port of Itaguaí, with three berths and a quay length exceeding 1,000 meters. The terminal has a capacity of approximately 300,000 TEU per year. Automation is moderate, with modern equipment but not fully automated operations. The major operator is CSN Group, which manages the terminal and ongoing expansion projects to increase capacity and efficiency.

Port Services

Main Services at Sepetiba Bay, Brazil

• Container Handling: Major container terminals, including Sepetiba Tecon, offer high-capacity container loading, unloading, and transshipment, serving as a key hub for South Atlantic trade.
• Cargo Operations: Handles a wide range of cargo types: breakbulk, dry bulk (especially iron ore), and general cargo, with specialized terminals for each.
• Ship Services: Provides ship berthing, bunkering, and technical support; vessels are monitored via AIS for safety and operational efficiency.
• Warehousing: Offers storage and logistics solutions, including cross-docking and de-unitization services for efficient cargo distribution.
• Customs: Features integrated customs clearance with local bases for Customs, Agriculture, and Health, enabling fast and streamlined import/export procedures.

Global Connectivity

Sepetiba Bay, part of the Itaguaí Port complex near Rio de Janeiro, offers deep-water access and modern terminals for containers and bulk cargo. It connects with major Brazilian ports such as Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and São Francisco do Sul, and serves the industrialized Southeast region. Linked by rail and highways, Sepetiba supports shipping routes to Europe, North America, and Asia, making it a key gateway for exports of iron ore, steel, and general cargo.

Port Statistics

Sepetiba Bay (Port of Itaguaí), Brazil – Key Statistics (2025):

• TEU throughput: Approximately 1.2 million TEU annually
• World ranking: Not in the global top 50 container ports
• Number of berths: 7 main berths
• Port area: Around 4.5 million square meters
• Shipping lines: Served by major global carriers including MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and COSCO