In Brazil, the modernization of container terminals is taking a very concrete turn. The Tecon Santos terminal has integrated 10 new pieces of equipment as part of a program that combines expansion, operational performance, and emission reduction: 2 quay cranes (STS) and 8 electric RTGs for the container yard. The equipment, manufactured by ZPMC, is expected to enter “classic” operation quickly, before a gradual shift to remote-controlled operation.
The transition to remote work doesn’t happen overnight: Tecon Santos anticipates a testing, system configuration, and training phase that could last up to a year. The new RTGs are equipped with a Truck Position System, designed to ensure the reliability of truck positioning during loading/unloading maneuvers. In terms of size, each unit reaches approximately 50 meters in height, with an announced reach of 70 meters, and can simultaneously handle two loaded 20′ containers, up to 100 tons.
On the environmental front, the announcement is even more significant: with the gradual substitution of diesel by electric, the operator mentions an estimated decrease in emissions related to this type of equipment that could reach 97%, with a reduction target of about 713 tons per month when the fleet is completely replaced. Beyond the figures, it’s a change of model: productivity, safety, and operator ergonomics become as structuring arguments as pure capacity.
