Chaotic infrastructure of brazilian ports faces criticism

Port of Santos is an example of exhaustion in the logistics system, with unresolved precarious access issues (Vanessa Rodrigues/AT)

Infrastructure problems, bottlenecks in access, and a threat to competitiveness. These issues place Brazil under scrutiny in the international maritime sector and impact its role in the global trade balance. The solution lies in a concept that must move beyond rhetoric: planning.

The CEO of Itapoá Port (SC), Ricardo Arten, summarized the sector's concerns, particularly regarding access issues. “Brazilian terminals, regardless of whether they are operated by local or foreign investors, will continue to invest. But Brazil is struggling with a lack of capacity. It must first invest in this area and only then attract more demand”, he states.

According to him, in other countries, logistics is treated as a priority in port master plans. “How can the largest port in Latin America not have a rail link to handle imports and receive export containers? It’s unacceptable”, he adds.

Arten takes his criticism further. “Innovation must come to solve problems. We need to look for solutions through innovation”, he says. He made this statement during the panel discussion Planning and Development for Brazilian Ports at the Antaq Summit on November 26 in Brasília.

Opportunity Also at the event, the Director of Port Administration at Açu Port (RJ), Vinicius Patel, emphasized the need to enable not only improved access but also energy supply solutions and even enhancements to pipeline transportation systems.

“This is the greatest opportunity for industrialization that Brazil has ever had. The world is looking at us as a major commodity provider. Do we want to be that? We already are. We need to think of ports as industrial structures”, he argues.

Head of Competition Law and Policy for Latin America at Maersk, Ana Carolina Albuquerque, also supports development underpinned by planning.

“I’m not sure if granting concessions for navigation channels is the solution. But it is crucial to have the necessary depth so that shipowners can bring in larger vessels. Sometimes, even smaller ships have to leave with less cargo because they can’t navigate the access channels”, she explains.

Public sector The Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), Mariana Pescatori, adopted an optimistic tone about the challenges facing the port sector by 2025.

“We are in a very positive moment for the sector, and I carry my homework with me. What we still need is integration among ministries”, she asserts. “We will address the depth issues at our main ports. We’re talking about Santos and Paranaguá, which require deeper and more sustainable operations. We will also launch a sustainability policy, inviting the private sector to sign a pact with us.”

Director of the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq), Alber Vasconcelos, highlighted the importance of the public sector, while recognizing the role of private players.

“A key focus for 2025 is to trust the institutions, especially the Ministry that formulates policy. They’ve been very effective. But at the same time, we can’t assume the private sector can do everything. We also need the public sector to act as a catalyst for private investment.”

Flávia Takafashi, also a director at Antaq, believes it’s time to overcome a lack of coordination in the private sector. “Direct our efforts, focus planning on what will truly yield positive results, and move the sector forward”, she concludes.