The initiative implements a Video Analytics solution connected with 5G SA to optimize vehicle logistics at the port in Pernambuco, Brazil.
Embratel, the National Secretariat of Ports and Aquatic Transport, and the Porto de Suape Industrial Complex have come together to bring innovation to the port in Pernambuco, located in Ipojuca, in the Metropolitan Region of Recife.
A private 5G Standalone (SA) network was installed in the 3.5GHz band at a port for the first time in Latin America. The project used Claro’s fifth-generation mobile Internet and smart cameras integrated with a Video Analytics solution to automate and optimize the logistics processes for identifying and monitoring the entry and exit of vehicles stored at the dock.
The Proof of Concept (PoC) resulted from a partnership with Atos, which provided the Video Analytics solution, Nokia, which made available and implemented the 5G SA infrastructure, including the gNodeB radio from its AirScale portfolio, the native cloud-based Core 5G and its orchestrator, Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Cloud provider for the initiative and Arsitec and Spirent, for device authentication.
Suape is a port-industry complex occupying an area of 17,300 hectares and interconnected with more than 250 ports on all continents. The space designated for the Vehicle Hub has three public yards for car storage and an annual handling capacity of 250 thousand cars, indicating significant digitization potential.
With a high flow of vehicles passing through the complex for import and export purposes monthly, several manual identification and monitoring steps were necessary, making the process repetitive and time-consuming.
To make this flow more efficient and innovative, Embratel, with its partners, developed a project that automated, registered and monitored the real and virtual movement of cars and their exact location at every step in the yard where the initiative was developed – with minimal human interventions.
The cameras connected with 5G executed a reading, through Artificial Intelligence (AI), of the tag in each car, collecting the chassis number. This action allowed for the automatic registration of the data on a platform, which also stored the arrival time at the yard, the parking space it was in and later, when it was removed from the location, with real-time monitoring, 24-hour a day.
From this, the operators of Porto de Suape gained a complete view of the space where the Proof of Concept was, making logistics activities more effective as they could precisely know the location of each car at every moment.
Maria Teresa Lima, Executive Director for Government, Embratel, said: “The implementation of 5G allowed various manual procedures to transform into digitized actions, with security, availability, very low latency and speed in communication.”
Lima highlighted that the private network installed by Embratel provided a 100% bandwidth guarantee, reliability and stability, ensuring total efficiency for the Proof of Concept.
Lima said: “Through the project, the port operation also became safer, as the identification of vehicles and their location in the logistics process became more accurate, avoiding errors and better integrating different areas. 5G is a great digital enabler for initiatives like this, which brings countless opportunities to the sector.” said Lima.
In 2019, the Porto de Suape created the Innovation Program for a modernized port, considering the Digital Transformation of the complex. Suape has an enormous data chain to be structured and operated through technologies that enhance its development.
Nilson Monteiro, Director of Port Management, Suape, said: “The Proof of Concept carried out in partnership with Embratel significantly minimized the time and the efforts spent checking car loads in and out of the yard.”
According to Monteiro, the action opened doors to new scenarios with 5G, AI and Machine Learning – among other technologies.
Monteiro added: “We hope to develop other applications to boost our innovation and productivity.”
The fifth generation of mobile Internet, integrated with emerging technologies, opens up many possibilities for the sector.
For example, a Ship to Shore (STS) machine, which handles container movements, can be operated remotely and in real-time, providing more safety for critical procedures. With the Internet of Things (IoT) communication between various devices moving through a terminal and Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs) can reduce the risks of collisions and accidents.
Otto Luiz Burlier, Director, National Secretariat of Ports and Aquatic Transport, said: “In 2022, the Brazilian port sector handled 1.209 billion tons of various cargoes, according to the Port Statistical Yearbook of the National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ, in Portuguese).
It represents about 95% of the movement of foreign trade, and the expectation is that by 2035 the movement will grow 124%.
“This highlights the importance of the sector and how technology can support the development of Digital Transformation in port logistics in the country, boost investments in infrastructure, optimize the workforce of sector employees in strategic activities, increase efficiency in the port sector and reduce costs for Brazil”, said Burlier.
The executive emphasizes that the objective is to expand initiatives, such as the one in the Porto de Suape Industrial Complex, to other ports throughout Brazil.
“We are very pleased to bring innovation to the sector, starting with Porto de Suape, in partnership with Embratel,” he said.
About Embratel
Embratel is one of the leading IT and Telecom service providers in Brazil. It plays a crucial role in enabling the Digital Transformation of companies across various industries and stands as a leader in telecommunications with its high-level infrastructure.
Embratel offers solutions such as Cloud Computing, data center services, security, Internet of Things (IoT), Professional Services, connectivity, collaboration, omnichannel solutions, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), data and video transmission, Internet, corporate mobile and fixed telephony, national and international long-distance services, along with various other solutions to support businesses in their journey of growth in the new digital economy.
Known for delivering excellent services with a customer-centric focus, Embratel has a reputation for its expertise in developing, implementing and managing converged solutions.
About Porto de Suape Industrial Complex:
Founded 44 years ago on the South Coast of Pernambuco between the municipalities of Ipojuca and Cabo de Santos Agostinho, the Porto de Suape Industrial Complex is considered the anchor and driving force of local development, attracting major enterprises in its productive chains. Situated just 40 kilometers from Recife, it covers an area of 17.3 thousand hectares, including adjacent areas.
The complex has received private investments of BRL 74.5 billion, with 82 active companies generating 17.5 thousand jobs. Leading by example in sustainability, 59% of the territory occupied by the Pernambuco state-owned enterprise constitutes the Ecological Preservation Zone.
In 2022, the port recorded a throughput of 24.7 million tons, representing a 12% increase compared to the previous yearly 22 million tons. It keeps its national leadership in the transportation of liquid bulk and cabotage navigation (between ports in the country) and achieved a record for container movement in the North/Northeast region. Liquid bulk (petroleum derivatives) accounted for 72.1% of the total transported cargo, followed by containerized cargo (22.8%), solid bulk (2.7%) and break bulk cargo (2.4%).
