Santos Port Authority unveils initiatives for port infrastructure and security reinforcement

The President of the Santos Port Authority (APS), Anderson Pomini, along with directors and technical specialists, held a press conference on Monday, September 4th, at the company’s headquarters. Various topics of interest to the port community and the regional population were addressed during the briefing. The announcements included plans for green hydrogen production using energy generated by the Itatinga Power Plant and enhanced security measures using drones.

Infrastructure was among the first topics discussed by the APS President, emphasizing that it is a fundamental responsibility of the public company. Key points covered include:

Dredging: The current dredging contract for keeping a depth of 15 meters expires in 2024. There is a possibility of renewal or a new contract. APS, in partnership with experts from the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), is exploring new criteria for services that would be more beneficial for the port. Regarding deepening the navigation channel to 16 and then 17 meters, Unicamp is also studying a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model that would allow for more durable services under a long-term concession. Pomini emphasized the commitment to commence deepening works to 16 meters next year.

Peripheral Roads: On September 5th, two rehabilitated lanes in the Alemoa area on the right bank of the perimetral road were inaugurated, alleviating longstanding access issues in the region. However, Pomini noted that a permanent solution would only come with a new viaduct built by the Internal Railway of the Port of Santos (Fips), a commitment between Santos Port Authority, Santos City, and the State Government.

Pomini mentioned that he inherited an approved budget from the previous administration that did not include major works in that section of the peripheral road. Therefore, the Director of Administration and Finance, Bernadette Bacelar, in collaboration with the legal department, is exploring an emergency solution using available funds for these works despite initially being restricted to the budget specified in last year’s approval.

As for the perimetral road works on the left bank in Guarujá, the President is optimistic because the funding for these services has been included in the Federal Government’s Growth Acceleration Program (PAC). “The bidding process will take place in 2024, and with PAC funds, we will proceed with the project,” stated the President.

The chart that follows gives further details on exports and imports in containers at the Port of Santos between January 2019 and July 2023. The data used below was gathered by Datamar using the DataLiner maritime intelligence tool.

Exports & imports at Port of Santos | Jan 2019 – July 2023 | TEU

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Tunnel: Regarding the Santos-Guarujá tunnel, Pomini highlighted that the revised project, developed in collaboration with the two city governments and the regional community, would not involve expropriations, in contrast to the previous plan presented by the State Government in Guarujá.

All proposals will be consolidated into a legal model (considering the possibility of a PPP after the start of federal government works) before being submitted for approval to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).

STS 10: APS management informed that the Port of Santos receives more than 5 million containers annually at private terminals, whose current capacity is estimated to be sufficient until 2030. However, expansion projects for both BTP and Santos-Brasil are pending approval by the relevant authorities, the Ministry of Ports and Airports, and the Federal Audit Court (TCU).

The new format of STS 10 will be discussed by the Santos Port Authority after the September 7th holiday, aiming to establish a model that meets the needs of both Ecoporto, which requires space for cruise ships (as Concais will be relocated near Parque Valongo), and the expansion of BTP, which has already received a favorable view from the Port Authority. The goal is to achieve a consensus that addresses all stakeholders’ interests.

Pomini highlighted the release of the Marimex area for the implementation of a railway yard, the expectation of Concais’s transfer in three years, and the construction of 16 berths at Largo Santa Rita by the Triunfo Group, whose processes are still pending with the granting authorities.

According to the President, these measures dispel any unfounded claims that the Port of Santos is unprepared for expansion. “Today, we have the capacity to reach 2030, and with ongoing measures, we will double our container capacity,” he affirmed.

Green Hydrogen: The unique advantage of the Port of Santos, which has its own hydroelectric plant, has enabled APS to consider the possibility of generating energy from green hydrogen produced via water electrolysis using renewable energy sources.

By installing an electrolyzer next to the Itatinga Power Plant, the Santos Port Authority would have the capacity to produce green hydrogen using the abundant water supply available, store it, and transport it through various methods, including pipelines, to consumers such as port terminals, ships berthed at the quay, as well as local businesses, industries, and residences. There is also the potential for exporting any surplus production.

The typically high production cost associated with green hydrogen in most projects would be minimized in the case of APS due to the existence of the Itatinga Hydroelectric Plant, which has an installed capacity of 15 megawatts/hour, as noted by the President during the press conference. “We already have electricity generated without CO2 emissions,” he celebrated.

Toyota do Brasil has also expressed interest in partnering with the Port of Santos to facilitate the production and utilization of green hydrogen, as reported by the Superintendent of Environmental, Health, and Occupational Safety, Sidney Aranha.

Drones: Another noteworthy topic addressed during the press conference was the deployment of drones equipped with infrared vision capabilities to combat illegal activities within the Port of Santos. APS also announced projects aimed at establishing an anti-clandestine drone system in addition to utilizing drones equipped with thermal cameras.

Another technological advancement in the pipeline is the implementation of the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS). Currently, APS is seeking legal approval to hire a foundation and a specialized manager for the system, which will optimize port operations through online data sharing. Cameras with transponders will be installed at five different locations to cover the entire Organized Port and the Usiminas Quay and VLI (a Brazilian logistics company) areas.

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