New Delivery Service Speeds Slab Delivery
VITÓRIA, Brazil – A new way of shipping Brazilian stone holds the promise of cutting shipping times to the United States … by half.
StoneLift, a concept developed by two Brazilian companies, successfully completed a test run in shipping 86 tons of granite to a Texas port in 21 days … including a route diversion due to Hurricane Milton.
“The test units underwent rigorous trials and performed excellently,,” said Fabio Cruz, CEO of Cruzzto, the company behind the innovation. “With a significant reduction in transit time, the system cut transportation time by more than 50%. On a route that has been taking over 90 days, StoneLift completed the journey in just 21 days.”
The system is the result of a partnership between two companies from the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo: Spinola, specialized in port equipment and operations, and Cruzzto, which patented the product and will oversee its commercialization.
The StoneLift packaging serves as an alternative to conventional containers, allowing for the safe and efficient transport of up to 28 tons of natural stone slabs per unit. The system follows more direct maritime routes, reducing the environmental impact of the operation without the need for cabotage to the states of Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, as often happens with container shipments.
The first shipment, in October from the port of Portocel in Espírito Santo to Port Arthur, Texas, ended up as an enhanced test. Due to coastal damage caused by Hurricane Milton, the shipment made an extra stop in Mobile, Ala.
Despite the extra stop and three days of rough seas with waves exceeding 19’, the shipment arrived in perfect condition.
“Even under challenging sea conditions, the structure demonstrated safety and efficiency, reinforcing its potential as a fast and reliable transportation solution for the sector,” Cruz added.
With a more efficient carbon footprint and less resource waste, the system reaffirms its commitment to sustainable practices by integrating logistical innovation with environmental preservation. Unlike traditional containers that use wood supports for transporting stones, the new packaging eliminates this need, further minimizing environmental impact.
“The structure was created to meet the needs of the Brazilian natural stone sector, where integrity and agility in transportation are essential for global competitiveness,” said José Ernesto Conti, one of the engineers responsible for the creation.
Felipe Conti, another engineer involved in this challenge, added that it took more than three years of studies, analyses, and the development of the four pilot structures.
“There’s a lot of research behind this, and we believe this innovation will bring real advancement to international transportation in Brazil’s natural stone sector,” he said.
