Porto Itapoá to have largest fleet of electric trucks in Brazil

Porto Itapoá has acquired a fleet of 20 new electric trucks for its internal operations. Known as Terminal Tractors (TTs), these vehicles are used for internal container movement at the terminal. The acquisition amounts to R$ 20 million and is part of the port’s expansion process, now boasting the largest fleet of electric TTs among Brazilian port terminals.

Sergni Pessoa Rosa Jr., Director of Operations, Technology, and Environment at Porto Itapoá, highlights that 858 thousand liters of fuel will be saved annually. “As a result, we will prevent 2 thousand tons of carbon emissions per year into the atmosphere,” he says. The expectation is to begin operating the equipment in August.

The TTs will be charged within the terminal itself, which since last year has changed its energy procurement policy to solely source from renewable sources within the national system. “We now exclusively procure energy from renewable sources,” explains Rosa Jr. “In April this year, we received an international certificate confirming that 100% of our 2023 consumption originated from renewable sources,” he adds, mentioning the I-Rec (Renewable Energy Certificate) certification.

Each vehicle can carry up to 65 tons and has a range of 150 km, equivalent to approximately 10 hours of work. “Combined, the new TTs will provide us with a range of 3 thousand kilometers until their next charge, demonstrating that effective environmental management directly impacts productivity,” assesses the director.

Expansion

In April this year, Porto Itapoá inaugurated Phase III of its terminal expansion, adding another 200 thousand m² of yard space, including an 8 thousand m² warehouse, completing an investment of R$ 815 million. With this expansion, Porto Itapoá now operates one of the largest container yards in Brazil, totaling 455 thousand m², enabling the handling of up to 2 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) per year. These investments also include the acquisition of large equipment – the first in South America to operate remotely controlled hybrid RTGs (Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes) – and the extension of berths.

Gold Seal

In 2023, Porto Itapoá achieved the GHG Protocol Gold Seal for the second time, a program implemented in Brazil by the Center for Sustainability Studies of Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGVces) in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment.

Responsible Use of Lubricants

The lubricating oil used in the diesel engines of Rubber Tired Gantry Cranes (RTGs) at Porto Itapoá has been reduced by half. Consequently, the terminal stopped using approximately 10 thousand liters of oil and 120 filters per year. This initiative stemmed from an internal study conducted by the maintenance team, utilizing oil analysis methodology at a specialized laboratory, confirming the potential to extend oil use duration without compromising its optimal performance characteristics.

Rosa Jr. states, “The oil in these equipments previously lasted 500 operational hours, and technical analyses indicated the possibility of extending this duration. Laboratory results confirmed the feasibility of doubling the usage time without any loss of lubricant effectiveness.”

The used oil is sent to a recycling company, which returns it to the market for other purposes. “Even with proper disposal, reducing overall consumption is crucial for a more sustainable chain,” evaluates Rosa Jr.

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