UKHO Upgrades Brazil Charts

The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has produced new and updated charts and Port Approach Guides for Brazilian waters within the Admiralty Nautical Product & Services, as a response to expansion and modernization of Brazil’s ports and growing shipping lanes.

The upgraded Brazil portfolio will include 23 charts to cover the expansion underway at many of Brazil’s ports; and Nine Port Approach Guides to provide the mariner with additional port-specific information to assist with voyage planning, including harbor regulations, Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) details, principal lights and landmarks and more.

Nick Dekkers, Product Manager – Charts at the UKHO, said: ”As well as being one of the world’s leading shipping hubs, Brazil’s ports are undergoing significant modernisation and expansion. In response to rising demand from our customers for up-to-date and accurate navigational data covering Brazil’s ports and shipping lanes, the UKHO has invested in a major upgrade of its coverage of Brazil.”

UKHO research reveals over 40 ports and terminals in Brazil are handling in excess of 11,500 different large commercial ships and more than 45,500 voyages in an average year. This ranks Brazil as the world’s sixth busiest shipping nation.

The ports of Rio de Janeiro and Santos already rank among the world’s top 50 ports, as measured by unique traffic, and the first two Port Approach Guides for Brazil to be published by the UKHO in early 2015 will cover these locations.

Image: Santos Brasil