Port of Santos rolls out smart port strategy with 5G, digital twins and shore power

The Port of Santos is moving ahead with a broad digital and environmental upgrade as it seeks to position itself as a “smart port,” combining advanced technology with decarbonization initiatives. In line with guidelines from Brazil’s Ministry of Ports and Airports, the Santos Port Authority (APS) is advancing a package of projects that ranges from the deployment of private 5G networks and digital twin technology to the supply of clean power for vessels at berth.

The strategy is aimed at consolidating Santos—the largest port complex in the Southern Hemisphere—as a reference in efficiency, safety and sustainability.

According to Ports and Airports Minister Silvio Costa Filho, the projects under way show that growth and environmental responsibility can move together. “What we are seeing is the materialization of the ‘Port of the Future’ concept. There is no longer a divide between expansion and preservation. By investing in cutting-edge technology such as 5G and clean energy, the federal government is demonstrating that it is possible for the largest port in the Southern Hemisphere to operate with maximum logistical efficiency while leading the global decarbonization agenda,” he said.

National Ports Secretary Alex Ávila said the initiatives place Santos in line with global benchmarks. “The implementation of VTMIS and digital twin tools raises the level of port management, bringing predictability and safety to navigation. We are aligning our operations with the practices of the most advanced ports in Europe and Asia,” he said.

Digital monitoring and connectivity

A core element of the modernization effort is improved vessel traffic management. APS is in the contracting phase for the implementation of a Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS), which will function as a maritime control tower. Using radars, cameras and sensors, the system will enable real-time monitoring of vessel movements, increasing safety and efficiency in the access channel.

This data-driven approach will be reinforced by a private 5G network and digital twin technology. The digital twin will create a dynamic virtual replica of the port, allowing operators to simulate operational scenarios, anticipate maintenance needs and optimize cargo flows based on accurate, real-time data—helping to reduce bottlenecks and costs for shippers and terminal operators.

Low-carbon logistics

Technology deployment is being paired with sustainability measures. The Port of Santos is advancing its shore power (Onshore Power Supply) project, which will allow vessels to switch off their combustion engines while alongside and connect directly to the port’s electrical grid. The system is expected to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and noise levels in the port area.

A key differentiator is the source of the electricity. Power will be supplied entirely from renewable sources, generated by the historic Itatinga Hydroelectric Plant, an asset managed by the port authority itself. The facility is undergoing a repowering process that also includes studies into the production of green hydrogen, which could in the future be used to fuel equipment and vehicles across the port complex.

Green incentives

To encourage shipowners to adopt cleaner practices, APS has extended and expanded its tariff discount policy for so-called “green ships”—vessels with strong performance under the Environmental Ship Index (ESI). The incentive benefits carriers that invest in less-polluting fleets and reinforces the federal government’s commitment to decarbonizing the logistics chain.

Source: Ministry of Ports and Airports

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