Technology in Service of Cabotage: Norsul’s Strategy for More Efficient Logistics

Coastal shipping (cabotage) continues to gain ground as an alternative to help rebalance Brazil’s logistics matrix. Despite having nearly 8,000 kilometers of navigable coastline, the maritime mode still accounts for just 12% of all cargo transported in the country, compared to 60% moved by road. Expectations are that this share will grow in the coming years, driven by investments in infrastructure, technological innovation, and regulatory changes.

Among the companies betting on this path is Norsul, one of Brazil’s largest maritime and logistics integration companies. With routes connecting the North and South of the country and cargo including bauxite, steel, pulp, grains, chemicals, and refined products, the company has been combining its coastal shipping expertise with cutting-edge technologies to boost operational efficiency.

A standout initiative is the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in operations. In partnership with Dharma-AI, Norsul has developed projects that have led to significant gains, including reducing around 40 tons of monthly fuel consumption across its owned vessels. These savings were achieved by integrating operational data such as loading and unloading times, queue times, consumption rates, and routes traveled. The project also optimized asset usage and refueling frequency.

Beyond the direct operational impact, technology is also being incorporated into internal training initiatives. The company has promoted generative AI literacy among its administrative teams, emphasizing continuous learning as a strategic competency. “We’ve launched a project to support our employees in developing continuous learning skills, which aligns with this historical moment. We’ve seen excellent results from this new practice,” said Aline Carvalho, Norsul’s Director of People, Management, and Fleet.

Carvalho says innovation only creates real value when accompanied by cultural transformation. “People still believe they can do things independently, and there’s a natural resistance — fear of losing their space, their role. But everyone has a unique talent. Focusing on the individual is deeply tied to innovation culture,” she emphasized.

Dharma-AI, which is technically responsible for the projects, also supports team development to ensure effective internal operation of the solutions. “We provide the tools for teams to continue growing. We work on the most specialized and complex scenarios,” explained the company’s CEO, Gabriel Renault. For him, AI projects must focus on delivering tangible results and business impact, rather than relying on generic or disconnected applications.

Cabotage as a Safer, More Sustainable Alternative: Norsul’s Perspective in the Logistics Debate

Recently, Norsul executives joined a panel discussion at Intermodal 2025 to address the challenges and opportunities of Brazil’s logistics landscape. According to the specialists, cabotage plays a strategic role in redesigning the country’s transport matrix. “Fuel costs are much lower. Efficiency is high. We transport large volumes — equivalent to up to 2,000 trucks, which would stretch over 60 kilometers if lined up,” noted Christiam Lachmann, the company’s Director of Chartering and Operations.

For Aline Carvalho, cabotage becomes particularly competitive on routes over 500 kilometers. “It’s a safer mode, with nearly zero accident and cargo theft rates, and it’s much more sustainable, with lower fuel consumption per kilometer. Economically, it’s also more viable,” she pointed out.

However, key obstacles to the modal’s expansion include the lack of infrastructure geared toward maritime transport and a shortage of qualified labor. “Often, cargo is sent directly inland without passing through ports. National infrastructure still isn’t designed with maritime transport in mind,” Aline observed. Regarding workforce development, she advocates for private-sector coordination as part of the solution. “We’re organizing efforts to explore alternative ways to expand maritime training and qualifications. There’s no simple solution, but we can do our part to drive the sector forward by joining forces.”

With consistent results in AI applications and a strong presence in cabotage, Norsul continues to bet on smarter, safer logistics aligned with the sector’s sustainability demands. Integrating innovation and maritime transport stands out as one of Brazil’s most promising paths for the future of cargo logistics.

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