VLI sets in motion exports from record-breaking 2023 corn harvest

The prominent Brazilian logistics company VLI has initiated the export of the much-anticipated 2023 corn harvest through its Diverse Products Terminal (TPD) situated within the Tubarão Complex in Vitória, Espírito Santo. Facilitated by the FCA railway [Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica], the goods from major producing centers like Minas Gerais and Goiás are transported all the way through the terminal’s East corridor.

According to the National Supply Company (Conab), Brazil’s current corn harvest is projected to yield around 125.5 million tonnes, marking a surge of 12.4 million tonnes from the previous crop, with approximately 50 million tonnes slated for export. The TPD is a pivotal component within the VLI integrated system catering to Brazilian agribusiness, boasting the capacity to handle six million tonnes of grain for export. Nestled within Brazil’s largest private port complex, this terminal receives 20% of VLI’s commodities volume.

To effectively meet the demand of the country’s Southeast region, VLI harnesses the Luiz Antonio Mesquita Port Integration Terminal (Tiplam), positioned on the central bank of the Port of Santos. Tiplam receives cargo traveling the FCA via the Center-Southeast corridor.

Also worth mentioning is the São Luís Port Terminal (TPSL), owned by VLI and located in the Port of Itaqui in Maranhão’s capital, which plays a key role in the movent of corn crops. Enjoying strategic proximity to maritime routes connecting Europe and the United States, TPSL also commenced its initial shipments in July. Apart from these regions, the corn transported by VLI caters to Asian and South American markets.

Innovation and flexibility

Incorporating innovation, VLI introduced the Ship Loading and Unloading Planning System (Speed in Portuguese) within TPD’s East corridor. This software implementation enhances efficiency in ship loading and unloading operations. The tool optimizes disembarkation plans, leading to estimated time savings of two hours per vessel, equivalent to 90 operating hours annually.

As a pioneering initiative stemming from VLI’s intrapreneurship, the Speed system customizes plans based on operational port capacity, client interests, vessel stability, and safety. This technology offers efficient loading or unloading plans, reducing operating time and boosting cargo handling capacity at VLI’s ports.

To tackle the challenges brought forth in more recent harvests, VLI devised the flex system at Tiplam, streamlining the movement of incoming commodities. This innovation permits the simultaneous reception of diverse agribusiness commodities, augmenting storage capabilities and curbing bottlenecks, such as ship queues awaiting loading. The system capitalizes on the lulls following soybean and sugar production peaks, enabling efficient corn reception.

Formerly confined by dedicated routes for specific products until mid-2020, the flex system now prioritizes loads according to ship lines, ensuring balanced distribution between grains and sugar. This optimizes dry port terminal management, eliminating reception and storage bottlenecks to export shipments. Fernandes elaborates that this innovation facilitates year-round handling of various products aligned with harvest schedules while maintaining unwavering quality standards.

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