The state of Espírito Santo is home to two of Brazil’s busiest port complexes: the Port of Vitória and Porto de Tubarão. Together, they handle significant volumes of iron ore, grain, coal, fertilizers, steel products, and general cargo. For shipowners operating routes with calls in this region, understanding the operational, regulatory, and logistical specifics of each terminal is not optional it is essential. A well-planned port call begins long before the vessel reaches the entrance channel.
Espírito Santo Port Complex: An Overview
The Espírito Santo coastline hosts a diverse port infrastructure, with specialized terminals and distinct vocations. The Port of Vitória is the state’s public port, administered by the Port Authority (Codesa), operating 14 berths capable of handling more than 30 different cargo types from steel products to containers. Porto de Tubarão, primarily operated by Vale, brings together five integrated terminals with individual specializations:
- Tubarão Terminal — iron ore and pellet exports (the world’s largest terminal in this category); 71 million tonnes of ore shipped in 2024
- Praia Mole Terminal — discharge of coal, coke, and anthracite
- Liquid Bulk Terminal (TGL) — petroleum derivatives
- General Products Terminal (TPD) — grain and fertilizers
- Steel Products Terminal (TPS) — operated by a consortium of ArcelorMittal Tubarão, Usiminas, and Gerdau Açominas
This diversity is the first critical point for any shipowner: each terminal operates under its own regulations, with specific documentation requirements and operational restrictions that must be reviewed well ahead of any berth request.
Regulations and Shipowner Responsibilities at Porto de Tubarão
The Regulations for the Tubarão and Praia Mole Terminals, published by Vale, is one of the most important documents for vessels calling at this complex. It defines shipowner responsibilities with considerable precision along with the consequences of non-compliance.
Key requirements every master and shipowner must be aware of:
Low-sulphur fuel compliance: vessels must carry sufficient fuel with a sulphur content of 0.5% or less for use throughout their entire stay within the terminal area. Use of scrubbers (Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems) that discharge wash water effluent into the sea may result in an immediate order to vacate the berth, with all related costs borne by the shipowner.
Ballast water management: the Terminal Administration may request, at any time, a valid electronic copy of the International Ballast Water Management Certificate. Vessels without a valid certificate are subject to refusal of berthing.
Ballast and stability during cargo operations: the master is directly responsible for ensuring that loading or discharging operations and the corresponding ballasting or deballasting are properly synchronized at all times, keeping the vessel within its stress and stability limits.
Pilotage and towage in adverse conditions: in situations involving heavy rain, swells, tidal conditions, or wind that prevent the vessel from remaining safely berthed by its own means, the master must arrange for pilotage and towage at the shipowner’s expense. The contracting of pilots from the State of Espírito Santo (NPCP-ES) is the responsibility of clients, users, and shipowners not the terminal administration.
Port of Vitória: What Changes for the Shipowner
The Port of Vitória operates under a different logic. It is a multipurpose public port with heavy traffic from both ocean-going vessels and coastal shipping. Navigation through the access channel and berthing manoeuvres are governed by the Navigation and Vessel Permanence Regulations for the Port of Vitória, issued by the Brazilian Navy.
For shipowners calling here for the first time, several aspects deserve particular attention:
Compulsory pilotage: as in Tubarão, pilotage is mandatory for ocean-going vessels. Early contact with local pilots is strongly recommended to align manoeuvring windows, especially during peak traffic periods.
Diverse cargo and terminals: the 14 berths at the Port of Vitória are distributed across general cargo, dry and liquid bulk, and containers. Each berth has its own draft and maximum vessel length characteristics. Verifying the vessel’s compatibility with the requested berth is a mandatory step in pre-call planning.
Customs and ANVISA documentation: vessels carrying provisions under the bonded stores regime (duty-free goods held aboard under customs control) must have all required Termo de Responsabilidade (Liability Declaration) documentation up to date. Brazilian Federal Revenue (Receita Federal) and ANVISA inspections are carried out during port calls, and any documentary discrepancies may result in cargo or vessel detention. To understand how this duty-free storage regime works on board, refer to our article on what a shipchandler does and why it matters.
Technological Innovation Across Espírito Santo Terminals
Espírito Santo has been advancing the use of technology to optimise port operations. Vale’s Tubarão Terminal now operates with fully remote ship loaders, reducing human exposure to operational risks. Drones have replaced launches for vessel draft readings cutting operational downtime and underwater drones carry out pier inspections with greater speed and precision.
At the Ponta Ubu Maritime Terminal (Anchieta), Samarco has deployed the Berth Alert system, which uses meteoceanographic data to predict mooring line tensions up to 60 hours in advance. This type of tool changes the dynamics of the port call: favourable windows for berthing, staying alongside, and unmooring are now identified based on objective data rather than estimates.
For shipowners, this means that early communication with terminals and access to local meteoceanographic forecasting systems are increasingly decisive for a smooth, incident-free call.
Maritime Supply During the Call: Logistics and Lead Time
A port call in Espírito Santo tends to be fast-paced and short which means that provisions, deck and engine stores, safety equipment, and any other required supplies must be ordered well in advance from a local ship chandler.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) sets standards that vessels must maintain even during brief calls from PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) stock levels to the validity of life-saving appliances. Delays in ordering supplies can result in demurrage or the need to complete provisioning at a subsequent port.
An experienced local ship chandler knows the operating hours of each terminal, the permitted delivery windows alongside, and the customs procedures for goods under special regimes. That operational knowledge is just as important as the product catalogue and it is what separates a well-executed supply from an added complication during an already busy call.
Calling at Espírito Santo with Preparation Means Calling with Confidence
Vitória and Tubarão are high-complexity ports with detailed regulations, advanced technology, and round-the-clock operations. Shipowners who arrive well prepared documentation in order, fuel within specifications, pilotage arranged, and local ship chandler notified in advance tend to experience faster, safer calls with fewer unexpected costs.
Prior knowledge of each terminal’s specific requirements does not replace direct contact with local agents, but it significantly reduces the risk of disruption. No port forgives improvisation and the sea, even less.
For port calls at Vitória or Tubarão with the support of a certified, experienced ship chandler in the region, contact the NAVSUPPLY team. We are available 24 hours a day to ensure your call runs without complications.
