Minister suggests adjustments to the Ports Law instead of new legislation

Bill 733/2025 changes the structure of responsibilities in the sector, labor regulations, and aims to attract more private investment (Vanessa Rodrigues/AT Archive)

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, suggested revising specific sections of Law 12.815/2013, which is currently in effect, instead of enacting a new Ports Law through the approval of Bill (PL) 733/2025. The suggestion was made to the special committee of federal deputies analyzing the bill, during a public hearing held on Wednesday (17) at the Chamber of Deputies. In addition, Costa Filho stated that the Federal Government will present a joint proposal with the National Agency for Waterway Transportation (Antaq) within ten days.

“We will finalize our proposal with Antaq to be presented to the committee, which will represent the Government's position”, the minister declared. He requested that the bill’s author, Federal Deputy Leur Lomanto Júnior (União-BA), and the rapporteur, Deputy Arthur Maia (União-BA), conduct a technical-legislative review of Law 12.815/2013 rather than approve a new law. “This is a suggestion that deserves reflection”, he noted.

Costa Filho was cautious but firm in defending the responsibilities of each governmental body, as PL 733 proposes transferring part of the responsibilities of the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) to Antaq.

“I hope we can make progress on labor legislation, lease issues, institutional security, and the institutional roles of the Federal Government, Antaq, labor federations, and the port sector. Each one operating within their own scope can contribute much more than by encroaching on each other's responsibilities. It may not work well.”

Labor The minister also called for greater attention from parliamentarians to the agreement signed by the National Federations of Dockworkers (FNE), Port Workers (FNP), and Cargo Checkers, Tally Clerks, Port Watchmen, Gang Workers, Ship Mooring and Unmooring Workers in Port Activities (Fenccovib), together with the National Federation of Port Operators (Fenop).

“We are undervaluing the agreement reached between the workers’ federations and the employer sector. On a sensitive issue such as the end of the exclusivity of the Ogmo (Labor Management Entity), we managed to make progress on direct hiring (of workers) and professional certification. This will increase job generation by 20 to 30%, attracting private sector investment focused on qualification, because ports face a shortage of skilled labor”, he stated.

Longer contract terms The minister also expressed support for contracts of up to 70 years. “We can create a much larger investment agenda. What we need to discuss is how to structure these contracts so that they can be extended up to 70 years”, he commented.

Costa Filho added that the Federal Government is paying close attention to the proposal to eliminate the Technical, Economic and Environmental Feasibility Study (EVTEA), declaring support for integrated environmental licensing. “We will present an innovative proposal aimed at simplification and accelerating projects.”

The minister voiced concern about the possibility of the Port Authority Council (CAP), which currently has an advisory role, becoming a decision-making body once again. “This could pose inherent risks and increase bureaucracy.”

Costa Filho also expressed concern over the proposal for self-regulation by the private sector itself. “We need to consider how the private sector would regulate itself. Who would oversee the investment plan?”

Finally, although suggesting only an update to the 2013 law, he gave a generally positive assessment of PL 733/2025, stating that the proposed changes to the legal framework of the Brazilian port system “aim to reduce bureaucracy, accelerate investments, and improve Law 12.815/2013.”

Visit to Santos The special committee of the Chamber of Deputies analyzing Bill (PL) 733/2025, which seeks to revise the legal framework for ports in Brazil, will conduct technical visits to the Port of Santos on September 30 at 3:00 PM and October 1 at 10:00 AM.

The special committee, which was established on July 9 of this year, will analyze and issue an opinion on the bill and the work plan presented during the August 6 legislative session. Eleven public hearings and technical visits will be held at the ports of Santos, Paranaguá (Paraná), Itajaí (Santa Catarina), Aratu (Bahia), Suape (Pernambuco), Cabedelo (Paraíba), Pecém and Mucuripe (Ceará), Itaqui (Maranhão), and Manaus (Amazonas).

The bill is subject to conclusive deliberation by the committee members. That is, once approved by the group, it may proceed directly to the Senate without being voted on in the Chamber plenary. A plenary vote will only take place if a motion is filed by one-tenth of the deputies (51 members) and approved by the House. After passing both houses and being signed into law by the President of the Republic, the new legislation will replace the current 2013 law.