Company replaced 45 maritime fenders and now has 100% of its docking berths equipped with infrastructure for 366m vessels.
Santos, August 13, 2024 – In August, Brasil Terminal Portuário (BTP) completed the modernization of 45 maritime fenders, marking the completion of the first project within the investment package committed to the Federal Government for an additional 20 years of concession at the Port of Santos. BTP will invest approximately R$ 2 billion over the next few years to increase the capacity of the largest container terminal in South America by 40%.
According to BTP’s Chief Operations Officer, Ricardo Trotti, this is the first of many deliveries planned to bring even more competitiveness to the terminal. “We have made significant progress in preparing for the increase in operational capacity. In addition to the modernization of the fenders, four new and modern ship-to-shore cranes will be acquired, two of which will arrive this year,” he stated.
With the installation of the new fenders, BTP now has infrastructure in 100% of its docking berths for mooring New Panamax-class vessels. These vessels, often referred as giant vessels, are 366 meters long and have an average capacity of transporting 13,000 to 15,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). The BTP terminal, located on the right bank of the Port of Santos, has 1,108 meters of quay and three berths with a depth of up to 15 meters.
Eduardo Alonso Linna, BTP’s General Operations Manager, notes that the container terminal already has experience operating giant vessels with safety and excellence. BTP has received the three and only 366-meter vessels that have called at the Port of Santos. The most recent docking took place last Thursday, August 8. “We already have the necessary expertise, and now, with the new fender model in all our berths, we will have greater logistical efficiency. We will be able to operate two giant vessels simultaneously,” he detailed.
Function of the Fenders – Maritime fenders are panels made of various materials that play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of people and port operations. Their function is to absorb the impact caused by a vessel against the quay during mooring and unmooring operations, thus contributing to the preservation of the structural integrity of both vessels and terminals.
Fábio Henrique Duarte, BTP’s Project Implementation Manager, explained that the new fenders installed at BTP are larger and more robust, capable of handling the load necessary for the mooring and operation of 366-meter vessels. “Several studies were conducted, and the fender replacement process was divided into three phases. The safe and excellent completion of this project is the result of the dedication of several BTP teams,” he revealed.
Investment Package – BTP’s investment package for increasing operational capacity includes acquiring a new fleet of electrified equipment, new maritime fenders for the quay, gate automation, and an extensive civil works plan for the adaptation of buildings and reinforcement of the yard. The terminal’s quay capacity will be expanded with the purchase of four new and modern ship-to-shore cranes (STS), totalling 12 pieces of equipment, in addition to new fenders. At the same time, container storage capacity will be expanded, with a significant increase in the reefer area, which will grow from the current 2,128 to around 3,300 refrigerated plugs. Additionally, 27 e-RTGs (Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes) and 46 terminal tractors will be acquired.
In addition to the modernization of the new fenders, completed in August, BTP has already delivered the first phase of the reefer area expansion (initially to five tiers and later to six tiers), as well as the purchase of 29 terminal tractors.
(Credit: BTP)
About BTP: Operational since 2013, BTP – a private terminal for public use – has established itself as the largest container terminal in South America. Located in the Port of Santos, the company was responsible for remediating one of the largest environmental liabilities in the port area in the country. With 1,108 meters of quay, prepared to accommodate three New Panamax-class ships simultaneously, the terminal serves vessels with routes to all continents, also providing cabotage and feeder services. A joint venture between Terminal Investment Limited and APM Terminals, BTP has obtained international certifications including OEA (Authorized Economic Operator), ISO 9001:2015 (Quality), ISO 14001:2015 (Environment), and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety). More information is available at www.btp.com.br and on the official social media channels: @brasilterminalportuario.