Antaq discusses changes in port concessions

The National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) intends to amend two regulations governing concession contracts in public ports. To do so, it held a public hearing this Monday to gather input. In total, seven interested parties registered, with five participating orally in the hearing.

Alterations

Antaq is proposing changes to resolutions 85/2022 and 61/2021. The alterations were presented by the Port Regulation Manager, Sandro José Monteiro. According to him, the change in Resolution 85/2022, which deals with leasing and concession contracts in organized ports, will only affect concessionaire companies.

The amendment includes the revision of concession contracts, Antaq's competence to review and decide on the rebalancing of these contracts, and the objectives to be achieved with the revision (not related to tariff revision).

It also provides the validation of the granting authority's ordinances and norms, which are primarily applied regarding the merit and rebalancing of contracts, but Antaq can also suggest changes. The modification also aims to enforce the criteria of solutions and manuals of the regulatory agency.

The other one

The amendment to Resolution 61/2021, aimed at improving the regulation of the proposal that allows changes in concession contracts, such as planned investments, as long as agreed with users, will affect port authorities, area operators, port operators and shipowners.

Resolution 61/2021, supported by the waterway sector, envisages changes related to the definition and revision of the concession parameter.

Pioneering

The rapporteur for the process dealing with the improvement of resolutions is Antaq director Alber Vasconcelos, who highlighted the agency's pioneering spirit in bringing the supported proposal mechanism to the waterway sector.

The deadline for submitting contributions ends next day 19th.

Port infrastructure

According to Antaq, Brazil's port infrastructure spans from Rio Grande (RS) in the South region to Manaus (AM) in the North region, encompassing 34 organized ports, 216 operational private terminals (TUPs), 152 leased and transitional terminals in public ports and 355 registered facilities.