Brazil Logistics Summit Flags Labor Shortage Threat to Automation

Executives from Azul Linhas Aéreas – Cargas, Martin Brower, Casas Bahia Full, Epson do Brasil and SGT Log gathered at the Logistics Summit 2026 in São Paulo to discuss how a shortage of qualified workers hampers efficiency in the Brazilian logistics sector. Participants noted that Brazil lost 1.1 million drivers between 2014 and 2024, dropping the total from 5.5 million to 4.4 million, and that only 4.1 % of drivers are under 30 years old. Surveys from ILOS, SETCESP and IRU show 65.1 % of carriers consider driver hiring the most difficult task, with 44.6 % of positions still vacant. Internationally, the IRU projects 3.6 million driver vacancies worldwide and an expected retirement of 3.4 million professionals by 2029. Speakers emphasized that technology such as AI, tracking and automation can improve productivity, but its benefits depend on proper training. "The discussion cannot stop at automation; the sector must prepare people to operate in a more complex, digital and demanding environment," said Beedoo CEO Rafael Carrenho. Ricardo Silva of SGT Log added, "AI will not replace the human; at the end of the day you still need people working on it."