Santos port moves closer to deployment of IoT network

Santos Port Authority (SPA), the state-run company that operates South America's busiest port, received a study produced by telco NLT, in partnership with American Tower and Everynet, on the implementation of a long-range wireless network for IoT applications.

According to NLT, the study was submitted in response to a public call launched by SPA in January for the deployment of IoT throughout the port.

The study considered similar projects implemented in other busy ports, such as Rotterdam, Singapore and Hamburg, NLT said in a release.

The focus was on the use of IoT to optimize the port's logistics, targeting the flow of traffic and cargo.

Specifically, it looked at movement of containers, monitoring and control of docking operations, control of cranes and preventive maintenance, among others.

The application of IoT, for example, has the potential to help reduce waiting times and congestion, as well as to improve property and labor security applications.

“With this initiative, SPA boosts its role of promoter of technological innovation in the Port of Santos, with potential use by the port authority itself and by the terminals,” said SPA chief executive Fernando Biral.

Citing a survey carried out by SPA with the port terminal operators, NLT said the main interest in the use of IoT was for sensors to assess air humidity, elevators, temperature, proximity, speed, presence and monitoring of yard spaces. 

Also, sensors to track rain, fire, gas and environmental leaks, as well as equipment control, ID systems, motion detection and smart meters.

All respondents were in favor of the deployment of an IoT network due to the low cost of sensors and low energy consumption, NLT said.

Focused on the B2B IoT market, NLT Telecom operates a nationwide LoRaWAN (low power wide-area network) based on the infrastructure of American Tower and on the cellular network of Telefônica Brasil, in a full MVNO model.

LoRaWAN is deemed the cornerstone technology for IoT systems.

Santos port is the crown jewel in the Brazilian government's privatization plans. Federal development bank BNDES is currently working on the privatization model for SPA.

The government is looking to publish a privatization notice in the first quarter of next year, and to hold an auction during 2022.

In the meantime, the port is advancing on the modernization and digitization of its operations.

"We're digitizing the processes of the ports to streamline the authorizations for cargo and vessels," secretary of ports and waterway transportation at the infrastructure ministry, Diogo Piloni, said recently.

PARTNERSHIPS

SPA announced this week new rules for partnerships aimed at sharing data and developing services and technological innovation at the port.

According to SPA, the new framework aims to facilitate and regulate the development of these interactions with the private sector.

To enter into such a partnership, the interested party must submit an official letter online addressed to SPA's superintendence office containing a work plan with the following items:

I. Description of the initiative to be developed;

II. Goals to be achieved;

III. Expected benefits for the company and for the Port of Santos;

IV. Needs for data, information, equipment, infrastructure and permissions, to be granted by SPA, for the initiative to be developed;

V. Details of the counterpart proposal to SPA;

VI. and the timeframe of the activities.

SPA also requires companies to sign a confidentiality agreement on all information related to the projects.

SPA's superintendence will then forward the documentation to its technological innovation committee for analysis before proceeding with the signing of partnerships.

Photo: NLT