A leader in port and maritime logistics in Brazil, Wilson Sons owns the world’s 6th best container terminal of less than 500,000 TEUs — Salvador Container Terminal — with the throughput of 500,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) handled per year. This terminal is located in the Port of Salvador, in the capital of Bahia. The Container Port Performance Index 2023 (CPPI) is based on a ranking released by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, which evaluated operational efficiency based on vessel time in ports.
The performance of Salvador Container Terminal reflects Wilson Sons' recent investments in expansion, with a focus on innovation, sustainability and staff training, which have made the terminal a relevant option for shipping companies that connect Brazil with global trade. In 2021, Wilson Sons increased the availability of berths at Salvador Container Terminal by doubling its main berth, which now has 800 meters and is capable of docking two New Panamax super container ships (366 m) at the same time, in addition to smaller ships for project operations at its connecting dock. It currently serves more than 470 ships per year and over 750 trucks/day and has a modern management system allowing for optimized cargo management at the terminal and on the ship, with greater safety and efficiency.
The terminal is also a pioneer in the use of electrical equipment. Last year, the company invested in another 12 electric terminal tractors (TTs) that are used for internal transport between vessels and container storage areas. The TTs help to reduce up to 341 tons of CO2 that will not be annually released into the atmosphere.
“Wilson Sons seeks long-term sustainable development oriented towards creating value for our stakeholders. With this focus, we invested in cutting-edge and sustainable equipment and increased the operational efficiency of Salvador Container Terminal, where 366-m ships can now call, thus helping to increase the service capacity and competitiveness of Brazilian ports,” says Wilson Sons COO Arnaldo Calbucci.
To prepare the study, CPPI classified 405 global ports last year, evaluating more than 182,000 ship calls, 238.2 million operations and about 381 million TEUs. According to the World Bank and S&P, the goal is to identify “areas of improvement for the benefit of multiple stakeholders in the global trading system and supply chains, from ports to shipping companies, national governments and consumers.” The World Bank reports that more than 80% of the goods traded are transported by sea, therefore “the resilience, efficiency and overall performance of ports are crucial for global markets and economic development.”
“The Northeast, through Salvador Container Terminal, is a great choice for Brazil, and to support Brazilian foreign trade. We are located in Baía de Todos-os-Santos, which is considered the capital of the Blue Amazon, given its privileged natural conditions with excellent sea and land accessibility. Continuous investments, with emphasis on the expansion of the terminal and the acquisition of new equipment, are made by qualified people committed to our clients' experience and business development. Safety, speed and trust, combined with transparency and corporate governance, have led to business expansion and investment attraction,” says Demir Lourenço, executive director of Salvador Container Terminal, who further adds: “Our terminal is a tool of great value for the development of the national and international supply chain, offering logistics solutions to more than ten Brazilian states, from the Southeast to the North.”
The terminal received investments of more than R$ 1 billion
Wilson Sons has invested more than R$ 1 billion in Salvador Container Terminal in expansion and modernization works since it began to manage it. With an area of 163,200 m2, the terminal has a central position on the Brazilian coast and is closely connected to key areas onshore, being an important instrument for attracting new businesses and investments to Brazil.
Its high standards of technological, operational and safety efficiency allow the expansion of export and import operations, transporting cargo from different sectors and origins, which boosts the production chain in several states. The segments include fruits, cotton, fertilisers, leather, paper pulp, juice, cocoa, sisal and wood products, meat, sugar, rice, coffee, tires, electronics, chemicals, in addition to large-sized bulk and loose cargo directed to renewable energy projects and others.
