Port of Santos approves AI waste detection system developed by startup Data Overseas

The Santos Port Authority (APS) formally approved the Vanguard solution, an intelligent solid waste monitoring system developed by the startup Data Overseas, on Tuesday (12th).

The signing ceremony, held at APS headquarters, marks the successful conclusion of a project launched during the ESG Challenge 2024 — the institution’s first hackathon — and made possible through an innovation grant of R$36,000 administered by the Santos Port Excellence Center Foundation (Cenep).

The technology was demonstrated live during the event by the startup’s director, Professor Renato Marcio. The solution combines high-precision cameras with artificial intelligence algorithms and has proved effective in automatically identifying various types of waste in operational areas of the port during controlled testing.

According to Anderson Pomini, president of APS, the innovation is a milestone in the sustainability agenda of the largest port complex in the southern hemisphere: “This technology not only meets the contractual requirements of the grant, but also has the potential to redefine our environmental monitoring standards.”

Features and Impact

The Vanguard solution utilizes optical sensors integrated with a computer vision system to detect, classify, and georeference waste in real-time. During the proof-of-concept conducted on June 27, 2025, the technology analyzed simulated operational flows using fictional data, accurately identifying materials such as plastics, metals, and organic waste.

The system generates automatic alerts for environmental management teams, enabling them to respond immediately and map critical waste accumulation points.

With technical validation complete, Vanguard will now enter a pilot phase. The goal is to integrate the solution into APS’s Environmental Management System, with potential replication in other Brazilian ports. Claudio Bastos, APS’s Governance Superintendent, highlighted the collaborative nature of the initiative: “This achievement is the result of an ecosystem that brings together startups, public authorities, and research funding. The model will serve as a reference for future innovation partnerships.”

Background and Development

The solution originated from the ESG Challenge held in June 2024 at the Santos Technology Park, where Data Overseas was one of eight finalist teams. The event challenged participants to develop technologies aligned with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, with a focus on critical issues such as waste management, the climate crisis, and port inclusion.

As the winning team, the startup secured not only the R$36,000 grant but also a 12-month incubation at the Technology Park and mentorship from the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae) — strategic resources used to refine the Vanguard platform.

The project’s development was facilitated by the Cenep Foundation, the entity responsible for managing APS’s grant program and fostering partnerships between academia, the public sector, and entrepreneurs.

Source: Porto de Santos

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