Technology, sustainable expansion and cooperation between sectors were the main protagonists this Tuesday (22), at the opening of the 3rd Interlog Summit , composed of the XXVIII CNL – National Logistics Conference, held by ABRALOG and the Intermodal South America Congress. The day's agenda brought together strategic names from the logistics chain, e-commerce and national infrastructure, in panels that discussed the paths to modernize the sector and strengthen Brazil in global trade.
The panels highlighted, in an integrated manner, the need for joint action between innovation, investment, and governance to enhance national logistics competitiveness and strategically position Brazil in the global market.
Technology, expansion, and sustainability: the milestones of e-commerce presented by Mercado Libre at Intermodal 2025.
During the 29th edition of Intermodal South America, Fernando Yunes, senior vice president and leader of Mercado Libre in Brazil , presented an overview of the growth of e-commerce in the country and the main milestones that should drive the sector in the coming years.
With sales reaching US$45 billion in 2023 and an annual growth rate of 38%, Mercado Libre has consolidated its position as the undisputed leader in Brazilian e-commerce. According to Yunes, the sector still has room to grow, given that online sales penetration in Brazil is 15%, while in other countries such as the United States and China, the percentages are 21% and 50%, respectively.
Currently, the company has 17 logistics centers spread across the country and projects reaching 26 by the end of this year. With a network covering 95% of the national territory, Mercado Livre operates with land and air fleets, in addition to investing heavily in sustainability — there are already more than two thousand electric vehicles in circulation in Brazil, responsible for last-mile deliveries.
Yunes highlighted technology as the main pillar supporting modern e-commerce. One example is the investment in 334 robots in distribution centers, optimizing the flow of goods and reducing the physical effort of employees. "The robot picks up the order from the shelf and takes it to the operator, speeding up the process and saving up to 70% on the number of steps and physical effort of the team," he emphasized.
The executive also pointed to virtual and augmented reality as promising trends for personalizing the shopping experience, in addition to the positive impact that including product videos can have on the platform's conversion rates. “The shopping journey will become increasingly personalized. E-commerce verticals tend to become more aligned with customer desires and behaviors. Pay attention to emerging trends and invest in new product presentation formats,” the executive warned.
Public-private partnerships as a path to national logistics and infrastructure development.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors was the focus of the special panel that addressed a positive agenda for national infrastructure and transportation. With the participation of authorities and leaders from the sector, the debate reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as the main tool for advancing logistics and transportation in Brazil.
Participants in the discussion included Pedro Moreira, president of ABRALOG; Mariana Pescatori, acting Minister of Ports and Airports; George Santoro, executive secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Vander Costa, president of CNT; and Ramon Alcaraz, CEO of JSL.
According to Mariana Pescatori, in 2024 alone, the private sector invested over R$ 10 billion in the sector. She highlighted the effectiveness of port lease auctions as mechanisms for attracting capital, in addition to citing significant public investments—more than R$ 1 billion in the same period.
The acting minister also highlighted the 100% public investments in waterways, which exceeded R$ 750 million in the last two years. "We are studying concession models for this mode of transport, maintaining efficiency and stimulating its expansion," she stated. In the aviation sector, she pointed to challenges inherited from the pandemic, such as the restructuring of the logistics chain, but stressed that several projects and concessions are underway to support the recovery.
Secretary George Santoro emphasized that the government already has plans for 15 highway auctions and one railway auction, which, added to the investments made, exceeds the resources applied in the previous four years. “We have resumed stalled projects, optimized contracts, and promoted legal certainty for new projects. Brazil's logistics infrastructure is undergoing a period of strong restructuring,” he stated.
According to Ramon Alcaraz of JSL, it is crucial that the sector be prepared to respond to the growing logistical demand and attentive to variations in the international scenario. "PPPs are the best way to guarantee modern, sustainable, and efficient infrastructure. The private sector is ready to collaborate," stated the executive.
Regarding bottlenecks and challenges, attendees mentioned the need to restructure new routes to relieve congestion on the land road network, given that, according to data presented, the vehicle fleet has increased by 50% in recent years.
Closing the panel, Mariana Pescatori also mentioned the progress in modernizing legislation related to infrastructure, with the aim of facilitating contracts, increasing legal certainty, and attracting more investors.
Geopolitics and foreign trade: challenges and opportunities in an unstable global scenario.
Intermodal South America 2025 highlighted the growing influence of geopolitical factors on logistics chains and foreign trade strategies. Under the theme "Geopolitics and Business Opportunities in Foreign Trade," the debate brought together experts who analyzed the impacts of current conflicts, trade disputes, and institutional weakening on the global dynamics of production and circulation of goods.
Participants in the discussion included Márcia Nejaim, regional representative of Apex Brasil; Alessandra Lopasso Ricci, CEO of Centaurea Logística; and Denilde Holzhacker, academic director of ESPM.
Denilde Holzhacker contextualized the current scenario as a period of profound transformations, which began with the Covid-19 pandemic and was intensified by global political changes and conflicts, which have increased the costs of maritime transport and amplified logistical insecurity. "The governance of international trade, previously anchored in the WTO, is weakened," explained Denilde.
Márcia Nejaim reinforced this interpretation by pointing to the weakening of multilateral institutions and the return of protectionist policies as threats to global economic growth. “We are facing a scenario we haven't seen since the 1930s crisis in the United States. Unpredictability, inflation in developed countries, and the reduction in commodity prices create a challenging environment for foreign trade,” she stated.
Despite the adverse context, the participants highlighted that there are opportunities to be explored. Investing in services, technology, and sustainability was identified as a strategic path for countries wishing to maintain their competitiveness on the international stage. Opening new markets for Brazil could also become a reality. “Brazil has been making progress, for example, in importing animal protein to Japan, a door we have been trying to open for years and only now have we managed to negotiate given the current scenario. Even in the face of tensions, there is room for innovation and the strengthening of new sectors. The moment demands agility, a global vision, and the ability to adapt from companies and governments,” concluded Márcia.
With over national and international exhibiting brands , Intermodal South America 2025 continues until Thursday (24), at Distrito Anhembi, in São Paulo, bringing together the main innovations and trends in the sectors of logistics, intralogistics, transport, foreign trade and technology . In addition to the fair, the program includes more than 40 hours of content, thematic panels and interactive attractions that promote networking and strategic exchanges between professionals and companies. Admission is free, and the expectation is to receive more than 46 thousand visitors during the three days of the event.
Service:
Intermodal South America – 29th Edition
Date: April 22nd to 24th, 2025.
Location: Anhembi District.
Hours: 1 PM to 9 PM.
More information: Click here
Photos: Click here
