Portonave invests $87.8 million in 100% electric equipment

To maintain productivity efficiency and meet the growing volume of cargo handled, Portonave — the first private container terminal in Brazil, located in Navegantes, Santa Catarina — is investing in new equipment. The acquisition includes two Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes for loading and unloading containers from ships, 14 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes for yard operations, one Reach Stacker (a large forklift), and two modern scanners.

The acquisition of 100% electric equipment reinforces Portonave’s commitment to decarbonization, as the new machinery will help reduce the Terminal’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The scanners are expected to be available for use by June this year, while the remaining equipment is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.

The investment in equipment was made under the tax regime known as Reporto, which encourages the development and modernization of Brazilian ports. Created by law in 2004, Reporto grants exemption from federal taxes, allowing companies in the port and railway sectors to acquire equipment without paying import duties such as the Excise Tax (IPI), Import Tax (II), and the PIS and Cofins-Importation contributions.

Acquired from the Chinese manufacturer Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries (ZPMC), the cranes can handle loads of up to 100 tons at a height of 55 meters and are capable of operating on the largest vessels currently in circulation worldwide — measuring 400 meters in length and 61 meters in beam (width). They feature a boom reach of up to 25 rows of containers. These new STSs will be the first of their kind in Brazil.

Additional features will make operations more efficient, including cameras distributed throughout the structure to assist the operator’s visibility, safety sensors that detect potential obstacles to prevent collisions during stacking, and a laser-guided system that indicates where trucks should be positioned under the equipment. This makes the lifting area safer by eliminating the need for people to circulate on the ground.

The 14 new RTGs can handle 41 tons and stack up to seven containers high. These electric cranes are powered by batteries that work in conjunction with the electrification system already in place at the Terminal yard, which has supported the existing RTGs since their electrification in 2016.

The equipment comes with modern and efficient features to facilitate handling, enhance safety, and speed up maintenance. When lifting a container, the operator is informed of its weight via a display screen. Additionally, safety sensors prevent collisions during stacking and transport, enable emergency braking during lifting, and provide electronic load sway control. Another advancement is the automatic lubrication system, which reduces the exposure of personnel during operations, enhancing safety and saving time. The RTGs are manufactured by Konecranes, produced in Finland and assembled in China.

Another yard equipment acquired is the Reach Stacker, which will also be the first 100% electric model to operate in Brazil. The new machine can stack six containers weighing up to 45 tons. Its battery runs for up to eight uninterrupted hours and recharges in just 75 minutes. It is equipped with an efficient system that ensures safety without compromising productivity. The Reach Stackers feature cameras that detect pedestrian presence, radar that identifies obstacles to prevent collisions, and even a breathalyzer that the operator must use before the equipment can be turned on.

In 2022, Portonave acquired the first eco-friendly Reach Stacker in Latin America and was the first terminal in southern Brazil to adopt a 100% electric Terminal Tractor (TT). Additionally, the company already has 318 solar panels installed throughout its facilities.

The two new scanners, devices used to inspect containers previously designated by the Federal Revenue Service, are manufactured by the Brazilian company VMI Security and operate integrated with the Terminal’s customs system. With this acquisition, procedures will be optimized and will provide greater security for the cargo analysis and inspection processes carried out by the Revenue Service. The agency also uses artificial intelligence in the evaluation of goods and inspection reports.

In addition to the equipment, a modern structure is under construction to house the devices, ensuring protection from adverse weather conditions and facilitating maintenance.

With the new acquisitions, Portonave will have a total of 8 STSs, 32 RTGs, 7 Reach Stackers, 4 cargo inspection scanners, 4 empty container forklifts, and 45 Terminal Tractors.

In January 2024, Portonave began the Wharf Adaptation Project, an investment aimed at receiving larger vessels — 400 meters in length and 17 meters in river depth — and installing modern equipment to serve this new class of ships. The intervention is divided into two phases. While one side of the wharf (450 meters) is under construction, operations continue normally on the other side, without any interruption of activities.

The first phase is expected to be completed by July this year, while the entire project is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026.

The company is located in Navegantes, on the northern coast of Santa Catarina, and began operations in 2007 as Brazil’s first private port terminal. It is part of the Swiss group Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), which manages around 70 terminals across five continents. Currently, the company has 1,300 direct employees and 5,500 indirect ones. According to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ), it was the most efficient in ship productivity in 2024. In addition to its excellence in operational performance, the company is committed to ESG practices, with actions and initiatives focused on environmental and social aspects.