Posted on June 1, 2026
The Port of Rio de Janeiro has concluded a dredging and engineering project valued at approximately USD 32 million, according to DynaLiners. This initiative enables the Brazilian port to accommodate larger container ships and boost its operational capacity.
With the work finished, the port is now cleared to handle vessels measuring up to 366 meters in length. The channel depth has been increased from 15.0 meters to 16.2 meters. Additionally, the maximum operational draught now stands at 15.3 meters, granting access for larger deep-sea vessels.
The first vessel to dock under the new parameters was the MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company ship MSC Katrina. This vessel has an overall length of 366 meters, a beam of 48.4 meters, and a carrying capacity of 14,100 TEU.
The channel upgrade is anticipated to strengthen Rio de Janeiro’s competitive position by improving access for bigger ships and increasing cargo handling capabilities at this key Brazilian maritime gateway.
