Innovation projects developed internally generated savings of BRL 2.3 million in 2022

Porto Itapoá: 12 years driving innovation and technology in the port sector

Completing 12 years in June, Porto Itapoá has established itself among the three largest container terminals in Brazil and, for that, has been investing heavily in innovation and technology as fundamental pillars to improve its operations. Significant investment in state-of-the-art solutions, aimed at increasing efficiency, reducing costs and minimizing environmental impacts, has been a major differentiator.

Innovation is a value encouraged within the company, according to the president of Porto Itapoá, Cássio Schreiner. “We have a specific sector to look for innovative solutions and we have participated in several working groups and forums focused on this discussion”, he explains. “We also promote internal programs so that our employees, who are the most knowledgeable about our operation, can make their suggestions and develop projects in this regard”.

The result of these initiatives is already clearly perceptible. Innovation projects developed internally generated savings of BRL 2.3 million in 2022. “During the year, there were more than 39 improvement projects. As a result, we obtained significant gains in terms of control, agility and security in the processes”, reports the president of the port. The projects focused on different areas of the operation, from the acquisition of new technologies, to changing the layout of operations and reducing bureaucratic obstacles.

One example is the reduction by half of the lubricating oil used in the diesel engines of rubber tire cranes (RTGs). As a result, the Terminal stopped using about 10,000 liters of oil and 120 more filters.

Investment in technology

In addition, Porto Itapoá has made large investments in technology. It will be the first South American Terminal to operate RTGs by remote control. “It is an investment in technology focused, above all, on the ergonomics and safety of our employees, which will obviously have an impact on our productivity”, assesses Schreiner.

The first five RTGs arrived in May, directly from China, and ten more will arrive in December 2023, an investment of USD 25 million. “The new equipment is hybrid, consuming three times less fuel than conventional diesel powered cranes”, he comments. “In addition, they are equipped with a system of sensors that bring greater safety to the operation”.

In January 2023, Porto Itapoá acquired a new scanner to inspect containers entering its yard. The HCVM XT ​​model equipment, from the British company Smiths Detection, is the first in Brazilian territory. The investment of approximately USD $ 2 million will bring more security and agility for cargo inspection inside the Terminal.

Recognition

Porto Itapoá was the only port to appear in the innovation ranking of Revista Amanhã, carried out in partnership with the IXL-Center/GIMI institutes, from Cambridge/EUAO. In addition, the Terminal is among the 50 Most Innovative Companies in Southern Brazil, according to the ranking published in May 2022.

The selection was based on the methodologies that companies adopt from the generation of ideas to the development of services and products.

Innovation ecosystem

As one of the Most Innovative Companies in Southern Brazil, Porto Itapoá is part of important initiatives to foster an innovation ecosystem such as the LinkLab of ACATE – Santa Catarina State’s Technology Association -, which integrates large companies (corporates) with technology startups to solving challenges collaboratively.

“Acting in the open innovation ecosystem allows Porto Itapoá to strengthen the Culture of Innovation, learn about trends and new technologies”, says Cássio Schreiner.

Innovation and sustainability

Porto Itapoá has stood out not only in innovation, but also in sustainability, winning several awards that recognize its efforts to preserve the environment and promote sustainable practices.

The Terminal was the winner of the Supplier Day 2022 Award, promoted by the BMW group to celebrate initiatives committed to sustainable mobility and social responsibility among its suppliers. The port of Santa Catarina is the only company in the logistics and foreign trade sector to be among the competitors in the sustainability category.

The winning initiative was the accelerated composting program using biotechnology carried out by the Terminal in 2022. The solution eliminates the negative impacts of traditional options for disposing of organic waste. The biotechnology used is produced locally, capturing local fungi and bacteria already adapted to the climate and environment, which brings an advantage to imported products with non-adapted bacteria and fungi.

Porto Itapoá also won the gold seal of the Brazilian GHG Protocol Program, for the inventory of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in the 2022 cycle. The program is implemented in Brazil by the Center for Sustainability Studies of the Getúlio Vargas Foundation (GVces ) in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment.

The golden seal is the highest level of the program, only awarded after a company demonstrates compliance with all transparency criteria in the publication of its emissions data.