Navegue Simples program: Six working groups formed and presented in Brasília

Program is the main initiative of MPor to reduce bureaucracy and simplify new port concessions (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

The National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) and the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) presented, on Monday (11), in Brasília, the six working groups (WGs) for Navegue Simples that will operate in the coming years.

The first group, active since July of this year, focuses on simplifying and reducing bureaucracy in processes managed by Antaq and the Ministry for private terminals. This WG was established shortly after the program was launched.

The groups will operate temporarily in 12-month cycles, with results to be presented in August. The second phase will occur from July 2025 to June 2026, the third from July 2026 to June 2027, followed by the final cycle from July 2027 to June 2028.

The topics of the other WGs include environmental licensing for private port facilities outside public ports, allocation of land and public water space under Union jurisdiction for port facilities outside public ports, simplification and debureaucratization of lease processes, adaptation to climate change in ports, and innovation within the port environment.

“These are our next steps for this project, which is so important. Throughout the process, there will be continuous internal dialogue and engagement with the private sector, which is directly impacted by these changes. The program will allow for even greater improvements in the sector”, highlighted Antaq's Director-General, Eduardo Nery.

Benefits Recently, Antaq approved the report from the first working group on private terminals, with several recommended actions to expedite authorization processes.

In the short term, Navegue Simples is expected to enable more efficient and transparent handling of authorization processes, reducing processing times.

In the medium to long term, the suggested changes are expected to bring significant restructuring to the sector’s regulatory environment, resulting in a more integrated and modern system. Centralizing and standardizing processes, as well as implementing electronic management systems, will allow for more efficient communication between the involved agencies.