PortPass

Context:
PortPass was created to simplify the process of entering and exiting ports in Brazil and the US. Truck drivers often faced hours of delays due to manual documentation, unclear gate processes, and inefficient communication with port terminals.
The solution needed to serve two user profiles: companies moving multiple containers (FreeFlow) and those picking up individual containers (ExpressGrid). It was also designed as a white-label tool, adaptable to different ports and clients.

Project Overview

Objective:
To design and deliver a digital platform—web and mobile—that would reduce waiting times and paperwork for truckers at ports, offering a more efficient, automated and scalable way to manage container pickups and deliveries.

Duration:
2020-2022

My Role:

• Led user research and requirement gathering with truckers and port admins

• Designed flows and wireframes for both FreeFlow and ExpressGrid

• Built responsive UI components for web and mobile

• Worked closely with 5 front-end and 3 back-end developers during implementation

• Contributed to white-label scalability and system design

Manual & Fragmented Process:
Most port interactions were paper-based, slow, and prone to errors. Drivers had to wait in long queues and rely on phone calls or manual checks to proceed.

Lack of Real-Time Visibility:
Truckers and fleet managers had little to no access to real-time updates, causing uncertainty and inefficiency.

Different Needs, One Platform:
The platform had to serve both small-scale (1 container) and large-scale (bulk shipments) operations—requiring flexible, scalable, yet consistent UX.

The Problem

ExpressGrid (Single container):

• Simplified interface for one-box pickups

• Fast-track registration and document check

• Real-time updates and automated gate access

The admin panel allowed port managers to monitor activity across terminals, manage users, and configure interface elements per port.

Solution

I designed two streamlined digital flows, sharing a design language but tailored to different levels of complexity:

FreeFlow (Bulk):

• Online pre-registration of trucks and container lists

• Real-time status updates for each stage (check-in, inspections, exit)

• Electronic documentation submission

• Integrated gate automation

Operational Gains:

• Contributed to a significant reduction in average gate processing times

• Helped shift port access from fully manual to semi-automated workflows

• Reduced reliance on paper, speeding up approvals and check-ins

Scalability:

• Designed a flexible platform adaptable to multiple port infrastructures

• Supported the white-label strategy with a scalable component system

The Impact

Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration:

• Bridged design, development, and operations through clear specs and prototyping

• Created UX that translated well across multiple environments and tech stacks

Designing for truckers at ports reinforced the power of user-centered thinking in high-friction, high-impact environments. Combining real-time feedback, paperless flows, and clear UX logic can deeply transform even the most analog industries.

Learnings

Thank you