More than 90% of the world's goods are transported by sea, and container shipping plays the largest part of it. However, the maritime industry has undergone many changes in the 20th century. Ports play the most important role in maritime transportation. Faced with various changes and impacts, ports are bound to transform into smart ports in response to global trend. Due to the rising awareness of environmental protection, shipping companies use larger vessels to reduce costs. Enaction of international laws and conventions has prompted shipping companies to use Liner Shipping or even Shipping Alliance to maximize their profits, in order to more effectively handle a large number of containers. In compliance with international regulations, various shipping companies use technology management strategies such as the Internet of Things and big data to automate operations and save the time required for cargo delivery at the port. Therefore, smart ports have always been advocated as future port trends. Only with transformation can the negative impact of all container transportation reforms on ports be resolved. This research uses the Santos Port as a case study to explore how the Brazilian government can introduce private sector funds and technology through Public-Private Partnerships to make the Port of Santos more competitive. The New Port Law enacted in 2013 replaced the 1993 Port Law. With the participation of private sector management and resources, the Santos Port has successfully transformed itself by increasing its container throughput, logistics and convenience between the port hinterland, etc. Furthermore, it accounted for nearly 40% of Brazil's container throughput in 2018, making it the largest container hub port in South America. This paper will review the competitiveness of the Santos Port before and after 2013 by using port competitiveness indicators, such as the container annual port throughput and Liner Shipping Connectivity Index by UNCTAD. Through the Global Competitiveness Report and Logistics Performance Index, we examine the impact of the transformation of the Port of Santos on Brazil's national competitiveness.