Investment slowdown at Santos

Among work that could be affected is the implementation and expansion of perimeter roads on the right (Santos) and left (Guarujá) banks of the port; the construction of a new pier and two conventional berths at Alemoa; and the dredging and reinforcing of the quay between warehouses 12A and 23.

Overall, Santos will suffer a cut of 71.33% in the previously allocated state budget towards investment.

Separately, a study put together by local university students to automate container handling at the port of Santos has been seized upon by a research group, which believes it has real potential.

The idea is to triple financial benefits by doubling the existing stacking yard capacity. This will be achieved by automating processes and thereby optimising all available space, significant amounts of which will be freed up by eliminating the need to manoeuvre container carrying vehicles. In the first month, the study suggests that profits alone will rise by 25%.
A new yard, equipped with 20 container handling modules is estimated to cost $61m, with conversion work taking 6-12 months.