• Electric equipment will contribute to the operation of 366-meter vessels at the Port of Santos with even greater safety and operational efficiency.
  • Acquisition is part of a R$1.9 bi investment package that will boost the terminal’s decarbonization efforts and promote job creation in the Baixada Santista region.

 

Santos, November 7, 2024 – On Thursday, November 7, the vessel Zhen Hua 15 arrived at BTP, a container terminal located on the right bank of the Port of Santos, carrying two new Super Post-Panamax class Ship To Shore cranes. These new equipments will increase BTP’s quay equipment capacity by 25% and support the safe and efficient operation of 366-meter vessels at the largest port in the Southern Hemisphere. This acquisition is part of a planned R$1.9 bi investment package in the coming years, which is aligned with BTP’s ESG guidelines and will further support the terminal’s decarbonization and foster job creation in the Baixada Santista region.

The two new STS cranes from BTP, manufactured by ZPMC, stand 94 meters tall (the equivalent of a 30-story building), have a 19-meter reach below the quay, and a 70-meter boom length, allowing for container positioning in up to 25 rows within vessels and handling of loads up to 65 tons under the spreader. The cranes are also fully electrified, contributing to the company’s ambition to be carbon zero by 2030, and feature advanced embedded technology, including systems such as TPS (Truck Positioning System) and LCPS (Container Profile Identification System for Collision Prevention).

According to BTP’s COO, Ricardo Trotti, “The investment package aims to prepare BTP for another 20 years of operations at the Port of Santos. We will increase our operational capacity by 40% over the coming years, creating an even more efficient, sustainable, and innovative terminal ready to handle and operate the new vessel fleets arriving at the Port of Santos” said the director.

Berthing Operation – The Zhen Hua 15, carrying the two new cranes from BTP, departed from the Port of Shanghai, China, passing through two countries before safely reaching the Port of Santos on Monday, November 4, at 5:42 AM. During its stay at anchor, the booms of both cranes were lowered to ensure they could safely pass under the Port of Santos’ transmission lines. The operation began around 10:00 AM, with the Zhen Hua 15 departing from anchor and navigating the access channel to its destination, finally berthing at the BTP’s quay around 12:00 PM. The operational planning, especially for the safety of the vessel’s navigability, had the support of the Santos Port Authority, the Port Captaincy, and the São Paulo Pilots.

The BTP’s Project Implementation Manager, Fábio Duarte, who heads the team responsible for implementing projects under the BTP’s investment package, explains that after successful berthing, the new cranes will be unloaded via rail and installed at the company. “The two new STS cranes are expected to be operational by February 2025, adding their capacity to the eight Super Post-Panamax cranes already at the terminal, for a total of 10 fully operational STS cranes” added Duarte. As one of the largest container terminals in South America, BTP’s plans to acquire two more cranes in the coming years, bringing its quay fleet to 12 cranes.

R$1.9 bi in investments – The investment to expand BTP was committed with the Federal Government for the next 20 years of concession at the Port of Santos. BTP’s investment package includes, among other improvements, the acquisition of a new fleet of more sustainable equipment, new quay fenders, gate automation, and a broad civil works plan to upgrade buildings and reinforce the yard. The terminal’s quay capacity will be expanded with four new and modern cranes (two already received and two to be acquired), in addition to new fenders. Container storage capacity will also be expanded, with the reefer area growing from the current 2,108 to approximately 3,300 refrigerated sockets. BTP will also acquire 53 e-RTGs (Rubber Tyre Gantry cranes) — which will replace nearly the entire existing fleet, reaching a total of 57 e-RTGs including four that will be converted to electric models. Also, 46 Terminal Tractors are being added, bringing the fleet to a total of 103 TTs when combined with existing units. In addition to the two new cranes, BTP has completed the modernization of 45 larger and more robust quay fenders, capable of supporting the load required for berthing and operating 366-meter vessels and has delivered the first phase of reefer area expansion (initially to five stack heights, eventually reaching six heights), along with the purchase of 29 Terminal Tractors.

Job Creation – BTP’s investment package, a result of its contractual renewal through 2047, will also foster job creation in the Baixada Santista region by hiring new direct employees and also contributing to the creation of indirect jobs. Currently, BTP already employs over 1,700 permanent staff members.

 


About BTP:

In operation 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 country’s port area. With 1,108 metres of quay, prepared to receive 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 the international certifications OAS (Authorised Economic Operator), ISO 9001:2015 (Quality), ISO 14001:2015 (Environment) and ISO 45001:2018 (Occupational Health and Safety). More information can be found on the www.btp.com.br portal and on the official social networks: @brasilterminalportuario

Press relations:

Yara Motta: y.motta@btp.com.br

Larissa Lopez: imprensa@btp.com.br