Brazil's Itaqui Port Updates Vessel Berthing and Unberthing Regulations, Effective September 1, 2026

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Empresa Maranhense de Administración Portuaria (Emap S.A.), the port authority of Maranhão, Brazil, has updated the vessel berthing and unberthing regulations for the Port of Itaqui. The new rules cover maritime traffic organization, operational procedures, and terminal occupancy standards, and will take effect on September 1, 2026.

The document was published in the Official Gazette of the State of Maranhão (Boletín Oficial del Estado de Maranhão, or Doema) on July 24, 2026, and applies to vessels arriving after the effective date. This revision replaces the previous regulations in force since October 2023, aiming to modernize port operational standards, enhance the utilization of port infrastructure, and provide clearer operational expectations for all parties in the port area.

Oquerlina Costa, President of the Port of Itaqui, stated that the port is currently in a process of growth and modernization, requiring clear regulations to serve all operators. She also noted that the new rules recognize and prioritize vessels committed to sustainable development, aligning port management with international industry practices.

The new regulations expand the scope of operational windows and introduce a conditional berthing model. This model allows for the pre-determination of departure dates and times before a vessel's arrival, and establishes specific mooring rules, priority criteria, and stay time limits for each call, thereby reducing waiting times after vessel arrival and optimizing queue service organization.

The document provides more detailed provisions for transshipment operations, distinguishing between conventional transshipment fleets and ship-to-ship operations, with separate rules established for mooring, preparation, and service sequencing. Another key focus of the new regulations is the berthing priority for sustainable vessels. Vessels holding internationally recognized environmental certifications, scoring no less than 60 points on the Environmental Ship Index (ESI), and achieving an overall rating of A+ on the RightShip platform may apply for this priority berthing qualification.

The new document also adjusts the scheduling and acceptance procedures for call applications, updates the operational productivity charts categorized by cargo type, and strengthens the assessment criteria for vessel operational performance. These measures are designed to coordinate existing performance contracts with queue management, providing balanced service guarantees for all parties in the port area.