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 Marcos Carneiro, Solutions Architect at CONROO, to explore where Latin American ports and terminals can unlock the greatest opportunity over the next 12–24 months. The conversation examines how digitalisation and automation can amplify the region’s inherent resilience, the practical role of AI in terminal planning and yard operations, and why organisational culture will be critical to turning emerging technologies into measurable performance gains.
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?
The biggest opportunity we have in Latin America is something others can not just buy: resilience. The legal environment, surrounding infrastructure, and constant volatility have shaped our people. We are accustomed to dealing with disruptions in ways few other regions are.
At the same time, the speed at which we access technology and spread it is increasing. If we combine similar levels of technology access and a more adaptable culture, we can multiply the productivity gains technology brings.
Let technology scale and perform, and let the most adaptable culture multiply it.
Which innovation or technology trend do you believe will have the most impact on operational resilience and efficiency in container terminals?
AI is laying a new landscape everywhere, and it will increase and spread with time. I am sure this will have the biggest impact on efficiency. The question is, where?
My view is that AI will bring the biggest gains in yard simulation for infrastructure and planning. Its ability to process information faster and test a wider scope of scenarios creates a gap with humans that is too vast to ignore.
A second major impact area will be in real-time yard effort allocation, where AI can optimise job sequencing by turning live operational data into actionable decisions.
What key message or insight are you most looking forward to sharing with the CTAC Americas 2026 audience during your session?
Digitalisation is about culture, not about technology. The most cutting-edge companies now measure employee AI utilisation as a KPI. This is not just a trend; it is a cultural enforcement.
The context has changed, and everyone is experimenting with this new technology. To separate the wheat from the chaff, organisations require familiarity and hands-on understanding. This is not just about adoption for its own sake; it is about curiosity in the future and the ability to anticipate what is glitter from gold.
Marcos Carneiro brings cross-sector experience spanning SaaS, satellite analytics, agriculture, and real estate, providing him with a practical understanding of how operations function and where technology delivers real impact. At CONROO, he operates within the container-terminal and port-logistics ecosystem, working at the intersection of solution design and operations. He collaborates closely with terminal management, IT, operations, and security teams to ensure digital solutions align with real-world operational requirements.
