Port of Santos to Implement New Vessel Traffic Management System After Decade-Long Wait

After a decade of anticipation, the Port of Santos is set to implement the Vessel Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS), announced Anderson Pomini, President of the Port Authority of Santos (APS). Pomini emphasized that the new system is essential for improving the efficiency and safety of monitoring ship movements in and out of the port. Currently, the Pilotage Service handles these tasks in coordination with APS, but the responsibility will soon shift to APS as mandated by the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU).

The Ezute Foundation is assisting APS in planning and managing the bidding process for the VTMIS implementation. According to Claudia Tocantins, Project Manager at Fundação Ezute, “The bidding notice is expected to be published in October, with the aim of selecting an integrator and finalizing the contract for system implementation by the second quarter of 2025.”

Commander Carlos Marden Soares Pereira da Silva, VTMIS Manager at APS, revealed that the last hurdle for publishing the notice was cleared on August 1, with the Environmental Company of the State of São Paulo (CETESB) granting exemptions from environmental licensing requirements.

Commander Marden also noted APS’s ongoing efforts to prepare the land for radar station installations, secure environmental exemptions, and obtain the necessary implementation license from the Brazilian Navy.

Real-Time Navigation Aid

The VTMIS is a sophisticated electronic navigation support tool designed for real-time monitoring of maritime traffic. It integrates and manages a vast array of data from various devices and sensors to enhance navigation safety and port efficiency. The system aims to protect human life at sea and the environment, particularly in busy maritime zones prone to major accidents.

When operational, the VTMIS will provide the Port of Santos, shipowners, and shipping agencies with greater predictability, crucial for organizing waterway traffic and planning vessel maneuvers. It will enable real-time interaction with local vessel traffic and address potential conflicts in the port’s maritime area.

“This technological solution will allow the Port Authority to manage maneuver sequences and prioritize vessels effectively, thereby enhancing port operations and maritime activities,” explained Marden. He also highlighted that the system’s predictability will improve maritime transportation planning, enabling ships to adjust speeds for direct entry into the Port of Santos, which will save costs and enhance logistical efficiency.

Additionally, VTMIS will support the Maritime Police (Nepom-PF), the Brazilian Navy, the Federal Revenue Service, and other partners in combating maritime crime, including drug trafficking and smuggling. The system’s real-time data-sharing capabilities will aid in detecting and identifying suspicious or unauthorized vessels, bolstering security and inspection efforts in the port area.

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