The Container Terminal Automation Conference (CTAC) Americas 2026 is just around the corner, and we’re pleased to spotlight some of the expert speakers who will be sharing their insights on the future of container terminal automation and digitalisation across the Americas.
Today, we speak with Euclides Velazco, Assistant Manager at SSA Marine MIT, on how Latin American ports and terminals can deliver meaningful gains in automation. He shares why targeted, scalable technologies offer the fastest route to stronger resilience, safer operations, and measurable efficiency improvements, and why collaboration across operators, utilities, and technology partners will be critical to sustaining long-term growth.
Join us on 24-25 February 2026 in Panama and be part of the conversation shaping the next phase of terminal performance in the region! Register here: https://events.porttechnology.org/ctac-americas/#Tickets
What do you see as the biggest opportunity for Latin American ports and terminals in the next 12–24 months, particularly around automation and digitalisation?
Latin American ports have a major opportunity to adopt targeted automation and digitalisation that deliver quick, cost-effective gains. Scalable solutions like automated gates, OCR tracking, and AI-driven planning can boost efficiency, improve safety by reducing human exposure to high-risk tasks, and enhance resilience without large infrastructure investments. Combined with predictive analytics and cloud-based collaboration, these technologies enable smarter decisions and real-time visibility – helping terminals prepare for future growth while maintaining operational continuity.
The true enabler, however, will be strengthening utilities and grid capacity, which is essential to unlocking the full value of electrification and sustainable automation. With coordinated action between utility providers, carriers, and terminals, the supply chain can achieve step-by-step modernisation while preparing for long‑term growth.
Which innovation or technology trend do you believe will have the most impact on operational resilience and efficiency in container terminals?
AI-driven optimisation will have the greatest impact on operational resilience and efficiency in container terminals. Artificial intelligence enables predictive maintenance, dynamic resource allocation, and real-time decision-making – helping terminals anticipate disruptions and optimise performance without major infrastructure changes. When combined with digital twins for simulation and scenario planning, operators gain a powerful toolkit to improve throughput, reduce downtime, and enhance agility.
These technologies, supported by sustainability initiatives, will define the next wave of smart, resilient terminal operations. They also have the potential to deliver safer operating environments by segregating people from equipment and using prediction to reduce human exposure to risk. The more accurately we can anticipate, allocate, and optimise, the safer and more reliable our terminals become, which will be a game-changer for our industry.
What key message or insight are you most looking forward to sharing with the CTAC Americas 2026 audience during your session?
Operational excellence doesn’t require massive overhauls; it starts with targeted, scalable technologies. By diagnosing inefficiencies and applying practical solutions like AI-driven planning, automation, and digital platforms, terminals can achieve measurable gains in productivity and resilience. Collaboration between operators and technology partners will be critical to sharing risks and accelerating transformation. At SSA Marine, we look forward to co‑creating resilient supply chains, enabling growth, and advancing the next chapter of maritime cooperation – together.
Euclides Alberto Velazco Ramjak joined Manzanillo International Terminal, S.A. in 2013 and has since advanced to Assistant Manager of ASC Traffic Control, where he leads the automated crane department and supervises operational teams. From October 2024 to the present, he has served as Assistant Project Manager for ASC Phase II, overseeing the integration of new automated cranes and driving operational efficiency and sustainability at the terminal.
