New Container Cranes Boost BTP’s Equipment Capacity by 25%

The vessel Zhen Hua 15 docked last Thursday (7) at Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP), a container terminal on the Port of Santos’ right bank, delivering two new Super Post-Panamax container cranes. These Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes will expand BTP’s quay equipment capacity by 25%, improving its ability to handle larger vessels with greater safety and efficiency at South America’s largest port.

This addition is part of an R$1.9 billion investment plan for the coming years, which aligns with BTP’s ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. The investment aims to advance the terminal’s decarbonization efforts and create jobs in the Baixada Santista region.

The new cranes, manufactured by ZPMC, stand 94 meters tall (equivalent to a 30-story building), with a reach of 19 meters below the quay and a boom length of 70 meters. This reach enables them to position containers up to 25 rows across on ships and handle loads of up to 65 tons with a spreader.

These electrified cranes support BTP’s carbon-neutrality goal for 2030, featuring advanced safety technology like TPS (Truck Positioning Systems) and LCPS (Container Stack Profile Identification Systems) to prevent collisions.

BTP Operations Director Ricardo Trotti reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its investment strategy, which was initially outlined during its government contract renewal.

“Our focus is on preparing BTP for another 20 years at the Port of Santos. We aim to increase operational capacity by over 40% in the coming years, creating a more efficient, sustainable, and innovative terminal ready for the next generation of vessels calling at Santos,” Trotti said.

Docking Operation

Departing from Shanghai, China, with the two cranes, Zhen Hua 15 passed through two countries before arriving at the Port of Santos on Monday, November 4, at 5:42 AM. To safely navigate under the port’s transmission cables, the crane booms were lowered while entering the channel.

The docking operation commenced around 10 AM as Zhen Hua 15 entered the access channel, docking at BTP around noon. The operation was meticulously planned, with support from the APS (Santos Port Authority), the Port Captaincy, and the São Paulo Pilots Association to ensure safe passage.

Fábio Duarte, BTP’s Project Implementation Manager, who oversees investment projects, stated that once docking is completed, the cranes will be unloaded via rail and installed at the terminal.

“The two new cranes are scheduled to become operational by February 2025, bringing BTP’s total fleet to 10 fully operational Super Post-Panamax cranes,” Duarte noted. BTP, one of South America’s largest container terminals, will acquire two additional cranes in the coming years, reaching a total of 12 quay cranes.

R$1.9 Billion Investment Plan

BTP’s comprehensive investment plan includes acquiring more sustainable equipment, installing new fender systems for the quay, automating the gate, and undertaking civil works to renovate facilities and reinforce the yard.

Four new cranes (two already in place and two more planned) will boost quay capacity. Simultaneously, container storage will expand, particularly in the reefer area, growing from 2,108 refrigerated plugs to approximately 3,300.

Additionally, 53 Electric Rubber-Tired Gantry Cranes (e-RTGs) will replace nearly all existing models. With four additional cranes converted to electric models, the terminal will operate a fleet of 57 e-RTGs.

Further, 46 Terminal Tractors (TTs) will be added to reach a total fleet of 103 TTs. Alongside the two new cranes, BTP has upgraded 45 robust fenders, engineered to handle the load required for docking and operating vessels up to 366 meters in length. The first phase of reefer area expansion is now complete, with 29 new Terminal Tractor acquisitions.

Source: Santa Portal

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