Santos Brasil launches a pioneering service for importers in the port of Santos

Seeking to increasingly contribute to its clients´ competitiveness, Santos Brasil is launching a pioneering and innovative project in the Port of Santos that will directly benefit importers. The new service is called "cross-docking", and aims to reduce demurrage costs (a penalty paid by the contracting party when the container remains in its possession longer than the agreed term) for companies that import goods or raw materials from abroad. Depending on the characteristics of the client´s operation, there could be savings of up to 50%.

In line with the integrated logistics concept offered by Santos Brasil, the service consists of transferring the goods from the containers used for transporting them overseas to Santos Brasil´s own units, eliminating the possibility of any demurrage fee that could eventually burden the importers´ consignments. After this procedure is completed, the containers are stored in one of the Company´s three terminals in Santos.

According to Wagner Toffoli, Santos Brasil´s commercial director for logistics operations, the new service also generates a positive impact on the entire logistics chain, because in addition to reducing costs to the importers, it enables ship owners to gain in optimizing the use of their assets, and adds value to the services provided by the terminal.

The service is also a demand from Santos Brasil´s clients, and it began to be designed last year. "It took time for developing the systems, obtaining approval from Customs/ Internal Revenue Service, and other procedures", explains Toffoli. "The company´s fundamental premise for its projects is customs security, and this is a core issue for cross- docking. Everything must be in full compliance with legal procedures", he adds.

According to the executive, the Company is focused on continuing to offer its clients the best service and helping them to be more competitive in their markets. "We continue focusing on a full service mix, with greater interconnectivity for clients using the Port of Santos. We have the best expertise in the industry, and we will continue to seek solutions that add value for our clients", stresses Toffoli.

At a time of strong competition in the Port of Santos under the shadow of an economic recession scenario, those who have enhanced management with innovation will stand out, says the director of Santos Brasil. "We will also continue to get closer to our clients, individualizing our operations as much as possible, especially in the cargo services we offer. We believe that in this manner we will be able to maintain our leadership and capture a larger share of the growth in the Port", says Toffoli.