A new data center has been energized at the Port of Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil.

The data center, located in the south of the country, cost an estimated 8.5 million reais ($1.54m) to develop. It is expected to support the Ports’ operational processes, strengthen connectivity with companies and business partners, and raise cybersecurity standards. The capacity of the data center was not disclosed.

According to the developer, the data center will integrate neural networks and artificial intelligence to automate the Ports process and reduce response times during its operations.

Commenting on the inauguration, the Secretary of Ports, Airports and Railways (SPAF), Beto Martins, said: “The inauguration of this new equipment reflects the commitment of the Government of Santa Catarina and the Port of Imbituba to position itself as a hub of innovation and sustainability in the Brazilian port sector.”

The data center is also expected to support the expansion of new services, such as the creation of more efficient communication platforms for the port’s stakeholders.

The developers have positioned the data center as a crucial factor in supporting the growth of the Port as a strategic logistics hub, for both the Brazilian and larger Latin American markets. The port is the only privately owned port in the country.

The project was dubbed a “historic moment for the port area” by Thiago Freitas Pollachini, technology and automation manager at SCPAR Porto de Imbitubai. “As far as we know, this is possibly the first Brazilian port to have a data center classified as Tier 3, with redundant infrastructure supplied by two independent electrical substations, each equipped with diesel generators.”

Several Brazilian ports have seen the construction of data centers on their premises over recent years. Earlier this year, Casa dos Ventos was granted approval to construct a 300MW data center at the Pecem port complex in Ceará.

Last August, Brazilian logistics firm Prumo announced its intention to develop several data centers at the Açu port complex in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A version of this story also appeared on the Portuguese edition of DCD.