Santos Brasil rolls out carbon offset programme for LCL cargo

Brazilian port operator Santos Brasil has launched its LCL Carbon Neutral programme, which focuses on offsetting the carbon footprint of Less than Container Load (LCL) cargo services, including road transport, handling, and storage activities.

Initially, the programme will cover operations at the Santos and Guarujá Customs Logistics Industrial Centres (CLIAs), specifically for LCL cargo managed by non-vessel operating common carriers and freight forwarders.

The company said that clients enrolled in the LCL Carbon Neutral programme will receive monthly updates detailing their emissions and cargo volumes. Santos Brasil will offset these emissions through the acquisition of carbon credits, with each client receiving a certificate from an independent consultancy that verifies the emission values and the methods used for offsetting.

The programme also includes Allink Neutral Provider, a Brazilian-based non-vessel operating common carrier focused on carbon neutrality within the LCL maritime transport sector.

Santos Brasil’s LCL Carbon Neutral programme supports its sustainability strategy, which includes achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. This aligns with its commitment to transitioning from diesel to electric equipment and offsetting Scope 2 GHG emissions through I-REC certificates.

This year, the company has introduced eight new electric RTGs at Tecon Santos and plans to add eight more. Santos Brasil has expedited its Tecon Santos expansion project, advancing the completion date from 2031 to 2026. This upgrade will increase the terminal’s capacity to 3 million TEU. In 2024 alone, R$420 million (US$77.7 million) will be allocated to increase the terminal’s capacity from 2.4 million to 2.6 million TEU. To date, the port has invested significantly in new equipment, including two quay cranes and eight electric RTGs, which are already operational. Additionally, the company has acquired two empty container handlers, 50 trailers, and 50 terminal tractors for cargo movement.