Tecon Santos Container Terminal’s Expansion and Modernization Project to Total R$2.6 Billion

The Tecon Santos container terminal leads incoming investments in the bustling Port of Santos. Its ambitious expansion and modernization project is set to total a staggering BRL 2.6 billion by 2031 when adjusted for current values. The company’s goal is a significant ramp-up in the terminal’s capacity, targeting a robust 3 million TEUs per year.

Roberto Teller, Director of Port Operations at Santos Brasil, emphasizes that the company’s growth strategy revolves around three key domains: containers and general cargo, integrated logistics, and liquid bulk. The historical roots of this initiative are firmly instilled in Santos, where Tecon Santos, their flagship operation, is strategically located. The commitment is relentless – to invest substantially in expanding and modernizing this enterprise, enhancing its capacity to meet the burgeoning demands of the port in the years ahead.

Alongside Tecon Santos, Santos Brasil manages the Vehicle Terminal (TEV) on the Left Bank of the Port of Santos, the Saboó Logistics Terminal for general cargo on the Right Bank, and two Customs Industrial Logistic Centers, namely Clia Santos and Clia Guarujá.

These investments have been in motion since 2019. The initial phase, wrapped up in 2021, entailed BRL 450 million, culminating in extending the terminal’s pier across 1,510 meters of continuous berthing space. This stands as the longest continuous berth in Latin America, allowing the simultaneous docking of three 366-meter New Panamax vessels and one roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) ship, or alternatively, four container ships and a ro-ro vessel designed for vehicles and rolling cargo.

See below a comparison between exports and imports at the Port of Santos between Jan 2019 and Aug 2023. The data is from DataLiner.

Exports & Imports at Santos Port | Jan 2019 – Aug 2023 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Expansion

The ongoing second phase foresees a budget allocation of R$540 million. The focus here is on yard infrastructure, bolstered by the acquisition of cutting-edge electric equipment. The goal is to boost the current 2.3 million TEU capacity to an impressive 2.6 million TEUs by 2023. The arsenal of equipment includes eight E-RTGs (yard cranes), two quay cranes, 30 tractor-trailer sets, and 30 semi-trailers. These cranes, which left on a journey from China aboard the Zhen Hua 35 vessel on November 2, are scheduled to arrive at the terminal by the end of November.

These new quay cranes, expertly manufactured by the Chinese company ZPMC, stand tall at 50 meters from the quay to the boom. With a boom length of 70 meters, they boast the capability to handle two 20-foot containers simultaneously and support up to 100 tonnes of cargo. This state-of-the-art addition will seamlessly complement the 13 existing electric quay cranes at the Santos terminal, with eight of these also supplied by ZPMC.

The novel quay cranes incorporate TPS (Truck Position System) technology, a precision-enhancing feature that finely defines the stopping points for vehicles during loading and unloading processes.

Notably, the eight E-RTGs are groundbreaking additions, marking the company’s inaugural foray into electric equipment of this nature. Santos Brasil is committed to replacing diesel-powered machinery and vehicles with electric counterparts. This forward-looking approach extends to the prospective implementation of shore power – an innovative concept where port facilities provide electricity to docked vessels – currently under consideration.

Technology

A substantial portion of the investment has also been devoted to the modernization of systems and software employed by Santos Brasil. Among these enhancements, the implementation of the Opus-TOS (Terminal Operating System) by CyberLogitec, which became operational in September, has taken center stage. The new TOS has revolutionized company operations, harmonizing processes and elevating service quality, planning, and overall productivity.

The selection of Opus-TOS was driven by its compatibility with emerging technologies, opening the door for cutting-edge equipment deployment, including OCRs (optical character recognition), remotely operated machinery, digital twin simulations, and the integration of artificial intelligence. These advancements culminate in operations based on real-time data, providing precise insights to the company’s Operational Control Center (CCO).

This transition to the new TOS signifies a comprehensive investment exceeding R$40 million, encompassing the replacement of software and equipment. These enhancements harness digital technologies for optimal terminal planning and operations. The strategy extends not only to Santos but is also being rolled out at Tecon Vila do Conde in Pará, promising efficiency gains that could potentially increase productivity by up to 20%.

Source: A Tribuna

To read the original publication, access: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/empresa-faz-investimento-bilionario-para-acelerar-modernizacao-no-porto-de-santos

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