With Navegue Simples stalled, minister meets with the sector

Promised, but not delivered: Navegue Simples was supposed to reduce the authorization process for private-use terminals from six years to nine months (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca, took part this Wednesday (22) in a meeting with the Associação Brasileira de Terminais Portuários (ABTP) and more than 100 representatives of the sector from across the country. The alignment meeting had, among its main topics, the Navegue Simples program of the Federal Government.

As A Tribuna reported on the 9th, officially launched almost two years ago by the Federal Government, in June 2024, the program is still in its early stages, without presenting more practical and conclusive results. When it was launched, the promise was to reduce bureaucracy in port processes, for example by shortening the waiting time for authorizations of private terminals.

The minister reinforced the partnership between the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) and ABTP through the Port Cooperation Protocol, an initiative that provides for joint action in the development of studies, technical proposals, and public policies.

The cooperation covers areas such as reducing bureaucracy and simplifying concessions, strengthening the sector’s competitiveness, promoting innovation and technology, and adopting sustainable practices, including actions aimed at decarbonizing port activities. At the center of this partnership is the Navegue Simples program, which seeks to modernize port management.

Throughout the meeting, other topics were discussed, including the progress of legislative proposals, such as Bill (PL) 733/2025, which addresses the updating of the Ports Law of 2013.

The CEO of ABTP, Jesualdo Silva, highlighted the importance of constant and open dialogue with MPor. “I would like to thank the minister for this openness to dialogue and for the transparent manner in which he conducted this meeting, addressing all the issues raised by the associated companies and clearly presenting the positions of the ministry and the government as a whole. ABTP values these moments, as we always seek to act proactively for the good of Brazil.”