Sindisan demands solutions for road freight transport in Brazil

High costs and insecurity on the roads are problems faced by transport companies (Alexsander Ferraz/AT Archive)

The Sindicato das Empresas de Transporte Comercial de Carga do Litoral Paulista (Sindisan) warns of the urgent need for solutions in the road freight transport sector. Trucks account for 65% of Brazil's cargo transportation matrix, but poor road infrastructure, theft, and high fuel costs remain constant challenges. The warning comes from Rose Fassina, president of Sindisan.

“We face high costs with fuel and tolls, a complex tax system, insecurity on the roads, and high cargo theft rates. In addition, there is a lack of incentives for sustainability, and we are facing a shortage of labor, which could lead to a short-term blackout in the sector”, Rose explains.

The union president also points out that infrastructure planning is essential for the future of transportation, highlighting strategic projects in Baixada Santista, such as the construction of new road access routes, the immersed tunnel between Santos and Guarujá, and the third lane of the Rodovia dos Imigrantes. “These projects will have a direct impact on logistics and safety, reducing dependency on a single access route (via Anchieta) and preventing traffic jams that paralyze the region’s economy”, she states.

Rose also mentions that the union is developing a project in partnership with the Autoridade Portuária de Santos (APS) to map the number of trucks accessing the Port of Santos and the average tonnage of cargo transported. “We are preparing for future demand.”

Rose Fassina (Alexsander Ferraz/AT Archive)

Female leadership As the first woman to lead Sindisan, Rose says her administration seeks to open doors for other women in leadership positions.

“Being president of Sindisan means having visibility and including the agenda of women also as union leaders. Until recently, the union had only been led by men. Being in this position shows women that they can occupy any space they want.”

The Sindisan president emphasizes that the role of women in the transportation sector needs to be strengthened, including in operational roles and within unions. “When one rises, she brings another. I’ve always advocated for women’s presence in discussions because there’s a lot to debate and transform through this feminine perspective.”

Sindisan: 88 years of service Last month, the Sindicato das Empresas de Transporte Comercial de Carga do Litoral Paulista (Sindisan) celebrated its 88th anniversary. The employers' association, founded on August 1, 1937, currently represents the interests of 146 road freight transport companies (TRC) located in 11 municipalities in the state of São Paulo. These include Bertioga, Cubatão, Guarujá, Santos, São Vicente, Praia Grande, Mongaguá, Itanhaém, and Peruíbe, in the Baixada Santista, as well as Iguape and Cananeia, in the Vale do Ribeira region.

More than just a celebration, President Rose Fassina emphasizes that the institution marks nearly nine decades of existence with a clear agenda focused on strengthening the sector, modernization, recognition of transport companies and drivers, and inclusion.

“Our purpose is to face challenges firmly, give visibility to road freight transport, value transporters, and open space for a new generation of drivers and leaders, especially women. That is the path we will follow”, explains the president.

Partnerships In this context, Rose Fassina highlights that the Serviço Social do Transporte and the Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem do Transporte (Sest-Senat system), in addition to the Confederação Nacional do Transporte (CNT), have been working to create incentive programs, such as awards for outstanding drivers, in an effort to reverse what the president calls the historical undervaluation of the profession.