Rio de Janeiro – The primary waterway access to the Port of Rio de Janeiro – Cotunduba Canal, which accommodates large vessels – is expected to shift to a 24/7 schedule in the second half of this year. The canal is currently active only during the day.
State port operator Companhia Docas do Rio de Janeiro (CDRJ)’s Waterway Accessibility Improvements at the Port of Rio de Janeiro workgroup coordinator Marcelo Villas-Bôas said the biggest advantage to being open at night is lower costs for ship operators and cargo owners. Shipping costs are charged on an hourly basis.
Villas-Bôas said that if a vessel loaded with shipping containers docks at the port at night to load or unload cargo, it is forced to spend 8 to 12 hours on average before it can leave the facility. “This is bad for the port because activity stops at the quay during that time. It’s bad for the port, it’s bad for the city, because it impacts revenue and renders Rio de Janeiro less attractive as a cargo port option,” he said.
For the port, increased frequency brings the additional advantage of being able to operate with ships that can leave at night, bringing up cargo capacity. This means the port will become more competitive and costs will be reduced. Preparations for nighttime activity involved modern nautical signaling.
Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
