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DP World speeds up electrification at Brazil ports

DP World is accelerating its adoption of renewable energy at the Port of Santos, Brazil’s leading multipurpose private terminal.

Michele Labrut, Americas Correspondent

June 23, 2023

2 Min Read
DP WORLD SANTOS BRAZIL[32]
Photo: DP World

The initial phase focuses on replacing diesel fuel with electric power for the Santos terminal’s Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTGs) container handling cranes. A total of 22 diesel-fuelled units will be electrified, by the end of next year, with an investment over $16.2m.  The first RTG machine in the fleet already operates sustainably on 100% electric power and by the end of 2023, another four machines will be converted.

The electrification process works through a system of overhead cables like electric buses. Applying this innovative technology to RTGs will not only reduce the terminal's diesel consumption by up to 60%.

"The conversion of the RTGs is a critical step in our decarbonisation efforts and aligns with our overall focus on sustainability. In addition to improved environmental care and climate performance, this change is also expected to bring additional operational benefits, as the technology offers low maintenance costs, increased productivity of the RTGs, and improved equipment reliability," explained Fábio Siccherino, CEO of DP World Santos.

DP World is already investing $35m this year to expand and modernise its facilities. The company has an additional 130,000 square metres available for expansion in the port area and has been working intensively on cargo diversification and developing logistical solutions that serve the entire international trade chain.

Related:Brazil’s port of Santos deploys drones for safety operations

The Santos terminal is already one of the largest and most modern private multi-purpose port terminals in the country. The expansion will increase annual container handling capacity from 1.2m teu to 1.4m teu and expand the size of the quay from 1,100 metres to 1,300 metres. This is DP World’s third round of investment since it began operations in July 2013. ensuring port capacity remains ahead of growing demand.

DP World Santos became the first port terminal in Brazil to no longer send waste to landfills after implementing the Zero Landfill project last year. Instead, all waste generated at the terminal is either recycled or converted into sustainable energy for industrial activities. Since the beginning of the project, over 479.40 tonnes of solid waste have been diverted from landfills.

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About the Author

Michele Labrut

Americas Correspondent

Michèle Labrut is a long-time Panama resident, a journalist and correspondent, and has continuously covered the maritime sector of Central & Latin America.

Michèle first came to Panama as a press attaché to the French Embassy and then returned to the isthmus as a foreign correspondent in the 1980s.

Author of Seatrade Maritime's annual Panama Maritime Review magazine and of several books, Michèle also wrote for Time magazine, The Miami Herald, NBC News and the Economist Intelligence Unit. She has also collaborated in making several documentaries for the BBC and European and U.S. television networks.

Michèle's profession necessitates a profound knowledge of the country, but her acumen is not from necessity alone, but a genuine passion for Panama.

In 2012 she was awarded the Order of Merit (Knight grade) by the French Government for her services to international journalism and in 2021 the upgrade to Chevalier grade.

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