Port of Santos will implement new navigation aid system valued at R$ 150 million

The Port Authority of Santos (APS) has announced the implementation of the Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) for the Port of Santos. This system is an electronic navigation aid that facilitates the management and sharing of data, supporting not only vessel maneuvers, but also aiding in combating criminal activities within the port area. The bidding notice for the system’s implementation is expected to be published in October, according to APS.

APS President Anderson Pomini emphasizes the importance of the system at the Port of Santos, given the high volume of vessels navigating the channel. "Every day, there are about 200 ships, not including smaller vessels. Therefore, a complex system that monitors the entire area is necessary to ensure efficiency, particularly in cargo ship maneuvers", says APS President Anderson Pomini.

Equipment According to Pomini, four antennas will be installed in different locations within the Port for the VTMIS, each with a range of 30 to 40 kilometers. "This allows us to monitor and provide detailed information to all operators", he explains.

This information can be shared with entities such as the Federal Police and the Federal Revenue for combating crimes like drug trafficking and smuggling. The VTMIS enables the identification of suspicious or unauthorized vessels within the Port Organized area. Pomini also highlights the system’s role in monitoring environmental impacts.

The system also offers increased predictability, optimizing maritime transport planning. Thus, a ship intending to dock at the Port can adjust its speed to dock directly without having to wait.

APS has stated that the bidding notice to select a company for the VTMIS implementation is expected to be published in October. According to Pomini, the budget for implementation is R\$ 150 million.

Suspension The signing of the implementation contract is expected in the second quarter of 2025, according to APS. The project had been stalled for ten years after being suspended by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). "Formal procedures caused the process to remain halted for all this time, so APS has been correcting the process for about 15 months", Pomini explains.

The suspension occurred after the TCU questioned the absence of installation licenses for the system’s antennas and issues related to the transparency of the previous bidding notice. Currently, the project is undergoing updates.

Pilotage When asked about the role of pilotage after the VTMIS implementation, Pomini explained that, although the entity has high-quality technologies for port operations, especially for ship arrivals and departures in the port channel, the TCU determined that pilotage is strategic and therefore needs to remain under state responsibility.

Pilotage will not be exempt from monitoring with the new system. "In the format we are planning, there will be joint operations with pilots and the technical staff of the Port Authority. Our idea is that, as soon as the VTMIS control room is installed at the Port of Santos, we will have dedicated pilotage professionals available to APS, including in that room", Pomini emphasizes.

When contacted, the Pilotage entity declined to comment on the matter.