Modernization of the port sector advocated by TCU during event in Brasília

Vital do Rêgo highlighted the role of TCU in expanding legal certainty; Antônio Anastasia cited the strategic importance of the port sector, and Benjamin Zymler emphasized the complexity of planning investments (Dimmy Falcão/Special for A Tribuna)

The president of the Tribunal de Contas da União (TCU), Vital do Rêgo Filho, stated this Tuesday (10) that the Brazilian port sector plays a central role in the country’s economic development but still faces significant challenges related to infrastructure and management. The statement was made during the opening of the Summit TCU, held in Brasília by Grupo Tribuna. The event brought together authorities, experts, and representatives of the sector to discuss the future of port logistics in Brazil.

According to the minister, ports represent a strategic segment for the national economy as they generate jobs and income while increasing the competitiveness of production chains. In his view, investments in port infrastructure have a direct impact on the population’s well-being. “The port sector represents a dynamic segment that generates employment and income for the Brazilian population”, he said.

Vital do Rêgo highlighted that the Court of Accounts seeks to act in order to expand legal certainty and encourage investment in the sector. However, he acknowledged that there are still a number of structural challenges to be addressed. Among them are improving land and waterway access to national ports, expanding berthing and cargo handling areas, and modernizing structures considered obsolete.

The minister also mentioned the importance of improving the performance of the dock companies, increasing the agility of administrative processes, and better integrating the different logistics modes. “We increasingly need to plan and execute better and act together”, he said, advocating greater coordination among the government, the private sector, and society.

Another point highlighted by Vital do Rêgo was the need to expand dialogue with the various stakeholders in the sector. According to him, the Tribunal de Contas da União has sought to listen more frequently to representatives of the private sector and civil society in order to improve its institutional performance. “We have sought to listen even more to people about the work we really need to carry out to solve the challenges faced by the Brazilian population”, he said.

For the president of the TCU, greater efficiency and stronger integration with international trade are necessary. “More efficient ports mean a more competitive Brazil, more integrated with the world and with more opportunities for the population”, he summarized.

Long-term perspective

TCU minister Antônio Anastasia also highlighted the strategic importance of the port sector for the Brazilian economy. According to him, port infrastructure projects involve long-term contracts and require legal certainty to ensure investments.

Anastasia stated that Brazilian legislation has advanced in recent years by creating instruments that provide greater predictability for private investments. “The pursuit of profit by the private partner is entirely legitimate and necessary”, he said, emphasizing that long-term investments require regulatory stability.

Long-term contracts

TCU minister Benjamin Zymler emphasized the complexity of planning port investments, especially in contracts that may last for decades. According to him, the dynamics of the logistics sector and changes in production chains make it difficult to predict long-term scenarios.

For Zymler, the most important aspect is not the immediate return for the State but the structural benefits that ports bring to national logistics. “What matters is not the State receiving billions of reais, but the importance of this for national logistics”, he said.

He also advocated the modernization of the rules governing the port sector, with a reduction in bureaucracy and closer alignment between lease models and private terminals, as a way to make the system more dynamic and better adapted to the transformations in port activities.

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, spoke at the opening of the event. He emphasized the importance of the TCU for the country’s development and cited the investments made by the Federal Government in the port sector.