Delays in project reviews are causing ports to lose investments in Brazil, executives warn

Rebecca Ferreira moderated a panel discussion with Adriana Pessotti, from VPorts, attorney Samara Gualberto, and Abeph director Gilmara Temóteo (Samuel Andrade, special to A Tribuna)

Autonomy for port authorities, coupled with accountability and closer engagement with those responsible for formulating public policy, taking into account regional realities and the challenges faced by each port and region. This is the combination recommended by Gilmara Temóteo, executive director of the Brazilian Association of Port and Waterway Entities (Abeph), to bridge the gap between the policies devised by the Federal Government and what port authorities can actually implement on the ground.

She was one of the participants in the Infrastructure & Foreign Trade – Risks and Opportunities panel, part of the 2nd Mulheres a Bordo Meeting, held last week at the auditorium of the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), in Brasília. The discussion was moderated by Rebecca Ferreira, Program Director at the National Secretariat of Ports.

The executive director of Abeph emphasizes that autonomy for port authorities does not mean a lack of oversight, particularly because “the sector is extremely regulated”. Gilmara advocates clear and predictable targets, supported by governance mechanisms, while allowing enough flexibility to ensure that initiatives can be developed and implemented more quickly.

“It is unacceptable that ports, each with their own specific strengths, have investors knocking on their doors, yet we have to submit projects to join a queue. Often, there is not even any clarity about when they will be reviewed or which projects take priority. As a result, we end up losing investments. Investors do not wait. Once cargo is lost, it does not return to the port”, Gilmara says.

Finding the best approach

Working with the realities of each port and striving for the best possible results in every area, regardless of the model adopted, is the approach advocated by Adriana Pessotti, legal and regulatory director at VPorts Port Authority. VPorts is the only private entity of its kind in Brazil and has been responsible for managing the port complex in Espírito Santo for the past four years, covering Vitória, Vila Velha (Capuaba), and Barra do Riacho (Aracruz).

“I will never be the Port of Santos, but I can make VPorts as efficient as possible for my users. An infrastructure contract cannot cover everything that might happen over a 35-year concession period. That is precisely why it includes a schedule for reviewing the concession parameters”, she comments.

Adriana explains that, for example, the company is studying different ways to generate its own electricity, including wind and solar power systems, to improve the efficiency of tugboat power supply. “The least we have to do is comply with the contract. But what improvements can we deliver within the terms of that contract? This is also extremely important and has been under discussion so that we can make our port increasingly efficient and dynamic, growing not only in cargo throughput but also in decarbonization”, she says.

Proactivity

Attorney Samara Gualberto, who leads and represents the Arco Norte branch of the law firm Ruy de Mello Miller (RMM Advocacia), highlights the proactive approach taken by port companies in every aspect of competitiveness.

“Companies go beyond the requirements and seek improvements on their own. A company that operates seriously—and I am fortunate to work with several such companies—does not simply aim to tick boxes and meet requirements. It takes a proactive approach, taking the initiative and actively seeking improvements”, she says.