Santos Brasil invests R$ 55 million in digital technologies

Santos Brasil is embracing digital transformation across its customs logistics centers and terminals, committing approximately R$55 million to new technologies between 2023 and 2025. Key innovations include 3D modeling, Digital Twin technology (which replicates real-world environments), IoT (Internet of Things), Machine Learning, augmented reality, and drones.

These advancements aim to enhance safety for both cargo and personnel, expedite processes, minimize environmental impacts, and improve customer service efficiency.

From the total investments, R$36 million is allocated to digital, operational, and data technologies, while R$19 million will fund cloud-based infrastructure improvements. This includes adopting a hyperscale data center with high-speed connections to public clouds and software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) and Starlink technology to integrate multiple telecommunications providers, ensuring flexible and scalable data management.

At Clia Santos (Customs Logistics and Industrial Center), which operates in integration with the company’s container terminal at the Port of Santos and offers services like bonded warehousing, special cargo movement, kit assembly, labeling, picking, and inventory management, Santos Brasil has implemented a 3D Warehouse System.

This technology provides real-time visualization of space usage and cargo operations. Accessible via computer, it offers a three-dimensional representation of the warehouse, simulating an on-site visit. Key benefits include space optimization by identifying underutilized areas, strategic decision-making through improved inventory management, enhanced safety for personnel and goods by detecting potential risks, and increased transparency for customs compliance. The company plans to extend this innovation to all its bonded warehouse units.

Additionally, at Clia Santos, IoT (Internet of Things) technology has been adopted to monitor the temperature of refrigerated containers (reefers). Each reefer is equipped with a magnetized device that transmits hourly data and is monitored remotely for enhanced safety and efficiency. This system allows for stacking up to five containers, optimizing yard storage capacity.

Santos Brasil has already implemented IoT (Internet of Things) in various equipment, such as water meters at Tecon Santos, which detect leaks and prevent water waste, and fatigue sensors in the terminal’s truck fleet to enhance operational safety.

Another innovation at Clia Santos and Clia Guarujá is using drones for property security. These drones monitor hard-to-reach areas efficiently and safely, providing an added layer of protection.

Artificial Intelligence Investments

Among its cutting-edge initiatives, Santos Brasil has introduced Digital Twin technology at Tecon Santos, one of South America’s most efficient container terminals. This technology enables virtual simulations and predictive analysis by mirroring real-world conditions.

The tool facilitates terminal performance testing and future planning within a highly accurate virtual environment, ensuring more precise and agile operations and guiding investment forecasting. Santos Brasil has also extended a preliminary model of this innovation to Tecon Vila do Conde in Pará.

In artificial intelligence, Santos Brasil is leveraging Machine Learning to optimize operations at Tecon Santos. The model in training refines truck entry predictions based on mathematical algorithms and scheduled appointments, enabling the company to forecast container arrivals at the terminal within hours, facilitating ultra-short-term yard planning, and improving efficiency.

Additionally, Santos Brasil is pioneering extended reality for container inventory management. Using augmented reality (AR) glasses and tablets, containers are identified through Optical Character Recognition (OCR) technology. This approach overlays real-world visuals with virtual elements, streamlining the inventory process and enhancing operational transparency.

Ricardo Miranda, the company’s Technology Director, emphasizes Santos Brasil’s commitment to solutions that minimize environmental impact, reduce operational time and costs, and add value to its services. “We take a pragmatic approach to digital technologies and their potential to drive value for our operations and customers,” he states.

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