Event hosted by Grupo Tribuna discusses port concessions

The Porto & Mar Meeting, organized by Grupo Tribuna, is a traditional event in the sector, known for its highly technical discussions on crucial issues affecting ports (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

The attempt to simplify the concessions and leasing processes for ports, through the Navegue Simples program, officially launched in June, will be discussed by the National Secretary of Ports, Alex Sandro de Ávila, at the 2nd Porto & Mar Meeting, which will be held by Grupo Tribuna on the 29th in Brasília.

"We want to address (at the event) topics we are advancing at the Ministry (of Ports and Airports, MPor), such as the issue of reducing bureaucracy in our daily work with Navegue Simples. We are working vigorously to bring innovation to our rules and regulations, allowing more agility with adhesion contracts, contract rebalancing processes, and auctions", Ávila explains.

He will be one of five panelists in the first panel of the event, which will discuss "Instruments for the exploration of port activities." The Director of the National Agency for Waterway Transport (Antaq), Wilson Lima Filho, will deliver the opening lecture for the panel.

For the National Secretary of Ports, it will be a timely moment to receive contributions, hear critiques, and showcase ongoing efforts. "We will update the market on the status of the concession of navigation channels. Additionally, we expect the last block of terminal auctions for the year in December, which will be very interesting, as the market has shown great interest in these areas", he commented.

Last Thursday, Alex Sandro de Ávila stated in an interview with A Tribuna that the first auction for the concession of a navigation channel, Paranaguá (PR), is scheduled to take place between April and May 2025. The auction for the Santos channel, according to the Secretary, is expected to be the third in line and should occur between the end of next year and the beginning of 2026.

Regarding the last block of auctions in 2024, the National Secretary of Ports did not disclose which areas are included. However, Antaq has scheduled auctions for December 18th for areas MAC16 in Maceió and MUC03 at the Port of Santana (AP), both for bulk and vegetable oils, as well as terminal ITG02 at Port of Itaguaí (RJ), for solid and mineral bulk.

Measuring and progressing The National Secretary of Ports classifies the 2nd Porto & Mar Meeting as "extremely important", especially because the central theme is the reform of the so-called Ports Law (12.815/2013). The second panel of the event will directly address this: "Ceportos - the draft bill to revise the legal framework governing the direct and indirect exploitation by the Union of Brazilian ports and port facilities."

"After just over ten years, we are able to look back and measure what has happened during this period. With this assessment, I would say it is an excellent time to reflect, identify what needs improvement, where we need to evolve, and thus focus our energy to move forward properly", says Alex Sandro de Ávila.

The event will be moderated by Grupo Tribuna's consultant for port affairs, Maxwell Rodrigues.

Brasília as a strategic location for the sector Demetrio Amono, Commercial Director of Grupo Tribuna, highlights the strategic decision behind choosing Brasília once again to host the 2nd Porto & Mar Meeting 2024, as it did last year. The Federal Capital is the country’s decision-making center, where the main authorities are located.

"The Porto & Mar Meeting is one of the most relevant events in the Brazilian port sector. Grupo Tribuna has always set the sector's agenda, and holding the event in Brasília is important because it facilitates access to authorities and sector leaders", he says.

Current and aligned themes The extreme relevance of the topics addressed in the two panels (Instruments for the exploration of port activities and Ceportos - The draft bill to revise the legal framework governing the direct and indirect exploitation by the Union of Brazilian ports and port facilities) stands out in the port area, as well as the quality of the invited participants. Demetrio Amono emphasizes the combination of these factors, which determines the high level of the meeting.

"I would say that the chosen topics are fully aligned with the sector’s demands and main concerns. Port companies have been waiting for years for a review of this legal framework, as well as transparency and legal certainty", comments the Commercial Director of Grupo Tribuna.

For more information and participation in the event, visit the link . However, spaces are limited.