Log-In completes remote crane operation rollout at Vila Velha Terminal

The Vila Velha Port Terminal (TVV), operated by Log-In Logística Integrada, has completed the implementation of its remote crane operation system, becoming the first terminal in Latin America to operate large port cranes from a remote location. The initiative is one of the most significant steps in the terminal’s ongoing modernization plan and marks a major technological milestone.

With an investment of R$42 million, all three of TVV’s ship-to-shore cranes were upgraded and equipped with Remote Crane Operation Systems (RCOS), high-definition cameras, and 3D vision technology, enabling operators to control them from a dedicated station located in a secure area of the terminal. The model, unprecedented in Latin America, follows standards already used at world-class ports such as Rotterdam and allows greater precision and safety while reducing worker exposure in operational areas.

The modernized cranes handle the vast majority of containerized cargo arriving at or departing from Espírito Santo. With the new systems, optical character recognition (OCR) is integrated into the terminal operating system (TOS), automating cargo registration and verification. Communication between the cranes and the control station is via fiber-optic links, providing stability, immediate response, and reliable remote control.

According to Gustavo Paixão, Director of Terminals at Log-In Logística Integrada, the introduction of remote crane operation is the result of long-term planning and a gradual modernization strategy. “Remote operation of the cranes is a key step in modernizing the terminal. It is a planned move that increases operational capacity and reinforces Espírito Santo’s role as a major logistics hub in Brazil,” he said.

Productivity gains in the previous phase

The rollout of remote crane operation is part of Log-In’s broader investment plan linked to the concession contract renewed in 2020, which totals R$500 million through 2048. The initiative follows a modernization phase completed in 2024 that already produced significant productivity gains. Between September and October last year, TVV recorded a 39 percent increase in operational productivity, an 18 percent reduction in average vessel turnaround time, and a 15 percent rise in the average volume of containers handled per port call.

That phase included R$48 million in investments to upgrade the Ship-to-Shore Cranes (STS) with technologies such as Crane Management System (RCMS), Twin Lift for empty containers, OCR, and integrated weighing systems. The terminal also implemented SIMOCRANE TPS (Truck Positioning System), which optimizes truck flow and reduces manual interaction in the yard.

These developments, combined with Mobile Harbor Cranes (MHC) acquired in earlier upgrades, have improved reliability and sustainability in port operations. The equipment is also prepared to run on renewable energy sources, reducing emissions and aligning the terminal with global environmental efficiency practices.

Paixão said modernization keeps pace with growing demand for integrated services and the expansion of international routes served by TVV. “With increased capacity and progressive automation, the terminal strengthens its position as one of the leading container terminals in Southeast Brazil and consolidates its role as a strategic hub for foreign trade and high-value-added cargo,” he said.

Presentation event

The new remote operation system was unveiled during an event at the Vila Velha Terminal attended by authorities and representatives from across the port sector. The event marked the completion of the implementation phase and full integration of the new technologies into the terminal’s daily routine.

Source: Log-In Logística

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