Technology, sustainable expansion and sector cooperation were the main highlights of this Tuesday (22), at the opening of the3rd Interlog Summit, composed of the XXVIII CNL – National Logistics Conference, carried out by ABRALOG and the Intermodal South America Congress. The agenda of the day gathered strategic names from the logistics chain, of e-commerce and national infrastructure, in panels that discussed the paths for the modernization of the sector and the strengthening of Brazil in global trade
The panels stood out, in an integrated way, 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 Livre at Intermodal 2025
During the 29th edition of Intermodal South America, Fernando Yunes, Senior Vice President and Mercado Livre Leader 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 a brand worth $45 billion in sales in 2023 and an annual growth rate of 38%, Mercado Livre consolidates itself as the sole leader in national e-commerce. According to Yunes, the sector still has room to grow, since online sales penetration in Brazil is 15%, while in other countries like the United States and China the percentages are 21% and 50%, respectively.
Currently, the company has 17 logistics centers spread across the country and plans to reach 26 by 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 thetechnologyas the main pillar of modern e-commerce. An example is the investment in 334 robots in distribution centers, optimizing the flow of goods and reducing the physical effort of employees. The robot collects the order from the shelf and takes it to the operator, streamlining the process and saving up to 70% of the team's steps and physical effort, highlighted.
The executive also pointed out thevirtual and augmented realitiesas promising trends for customizing the shopping experience, besides the positive impact that including product videos can have on the platform's conversion rates. The shopping journey will become increasingly personalized. The 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, alerted the executive
Public-private partnerships as a path for logistical development and national infrastructure
The 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 presence of authorities and sector leaders, the debate reinforced the importance of public-private partnerships (PPPs) as the main tool for the advancement of logistics and transportation in Brazil
Pedro Moreira participated in the discussion, President of ABRALOG; Mariana Pescatori, Acting Minister of Ports and Airports; George Santoro, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Vander Costa, President of the CNT; and Ramon Alcaraz, CEO of JSL
According to Mariana Pescatori, only in 2024, the private sector invested more than 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 contributions — more than R$ 1 billion in the same period
The acting minister also drew attention to 100% public investments in waterways, that exceeded R$ 750 million in the last two years. We are studying concession models for this mode, maintaining efficiency and stimulating its expansion, stated. In the airline sector, pointed out challenges inherited from the pandemic, how the restructuring of the supply chain, but emphasized that several works 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, added to the contributions made, exceeds the resources allocated in the previous four years. We resumed halted works, We optimize contracts and promote legal certainty for new projects. Brazil's logistics infrastructure is experiencing a period of significant restructuring, declared
For Ramon Alcaraz, from JSL, it is essential that the sector is prepared to respond to the growing logistical demand and attentive to changes in the international scenario. The PPP is the best way to ensure modern infrastructure, sustainable and efficient. The private sector is ready to collaborate, the executive stated
On the theme of bottlenecks and challenges, the present ones mentioned the need for restructuring new routes, to ease the land transportation network, once that, according to the data presented, the vehicle fleet increased by 50% in recent years.
Closing the panel, Mariana Pescatori also mentioned the progress of the modernization of legislation aimed at infrastructure, to facilitate contracts, expand legal certainty and attract 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 supply chains and foreign trade strategies. Under the theme "Geopolitics and Opportunities for Business in Foreign Trade", the debate brought together specialists who analyzed the impacts of current conflicts, commercial disputes and institutional weakening in the global dynamics of production and circulation of goods
Márcia Nejaim participated in the discussion, Regional representative of Apex Brasil; Alessandra Lopasso Ricci, CEO of Centaurea Logistics 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 shipping costs and expanded logistical insecurity. The governance of international trade, previously anchored at the WTO, is fragile, explained Denilde.
Márcia Nejaim reinforced this reading by pointing out 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 1930 crisis in the United States. The unpredictability, inflation in developed countries and the decline in commodity prices create a challenging environment for foreign trade, stated.
Despite the adverse context, the participants highlighted that there are opportunities to be explored. The bet on services, technology and sustainability have been identified as a strategic pathway for countries aiming to maintain their competitiveness on the international stage. The opening of new markets for Brazil can also become a reality. Brazil has been advancing, for example, in the importation of animal protein to Japan, a door we've been trying to open for years and only now managed to negotiate given the current scenario. Even in the face of tensions, there is room for innovation and for strengthening new sectors. The moment demands agility, global overview and adaptability of companies and governments, Marcia finished.
With more than500 exhibiting brands national and international, a Intermodal South America 2025continues until Thursday (24), in the Anhembi District, in São Paulo, gathering the main innovations and trends in the sectors oflogistics, intralogistics, transportation, foreign trade and technology. Beyond 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. The entrance 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
Data:April 22 to 24, 2025
Local:Anhembi District
Time:from 1 PM to 9 PM
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