Drone Rules for Porto do Itaqui
The airspace over the Porto do Itaqui (São Luís, MA) is classified as a Critical Infrastructure and High-Security Industrial Maritime Zone. Recreational and hobbyist drone flights are strictly prohibited.
The Porto do Itaqui, managed by EMAP in São Luís, Maranhão, is one of the deepest and most productive commercial ports in Brazil. It serves as the primary northern gateway for the country's central grain production (via the MATOPIBA region) and acts as a massive logistics hub for liquid bulk (fuels, chemicals), fertilizers, and iron ore coming from the Carajás mining district.
Because Itaqui handles highly volatile liquid fuels and chemical compounds across several specialized berths, its safety protocols under the international ISPS Code are extraordinarily stringent. Launching a recreational drone to look at the massive ships or the bay is completely forbidden due to the risk of accidental drops, sparks near fuel lines, or corporate espionage. Additionally, the port operates continuous high-power radio arrays, automated conveyor networks, and heavy ship radars that can severely disrupt a drone's 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz control frequencies, causing immediate "flyaways" or structural crashes.
For professional or corporate overflights (such as structural engineering inspections, logistical mapping, or authorized media coverage):
EMAP Consent: Operators must submit a formal technical request directly to EMAP's security and operations directory well ahead of the scheduled date.
Compliance Checks: The pilot must present full documentation, including ANAC SISANT registration, ANATEL certification, a formal risk evaluation matrix, and a valid RETA aviation insurance policy to cover third-party liabilities.
DECEA Activation: Once EMAP issues a formal no-objection certificate, the pilot must request and obtain airspace release through the SARPAS NG portal.
If an unauthorized drone is detected within the port's perimeter, the Port Guard (Guarda Portuária) will deploy active electronic counter-measures to force-land or jam the aircraft. The equipment will be confiscated, and the operator will be detained and handed over to the Federal Police (Polícia Federal) under federal laws protecting critical national infrastructure.