Brazilian port operators push to end repeated dredging licenses

Companies operating in Brazil’s public ports and private terminals are calling for an exemption from the requirement to obtain successive licenses for maintenance dredging. The requests were made during a public hearing held by the special committee discussing Bill (PL) 733/2025, which aims to revise Brazil’s port regulatory framework, on Wednesday in the Chamber of Deputies.

“We ask that the bill include a provision eliminating the need for a new environmental license for maintenance dredging,” said Sérgio Aquino, president of the National Federation of Port Operations (Fenop), following a presentation on existing laws and regulations that already certify the environmental viability of infrastructure projects and sustainable development.

Jesualdo Silva, president of the Brazilian Association of Port Terminals (ABTP), supported the request, arguing that “there is no need because the characteristics remain the same. We ask that the license be made permanent to save time, which would not prevent oversight,” he said.

Murillo Barbosa, president of the Association of Private Terminals (ATP), added that the entire surroundings of a terminal undergo an Environmental Impact Study and Report (EIA-RIMA). “Maintenance dredging is simply the restoration of the draft level approved in the original project, without any change that could cause environmental impact,” he emphasized.

Absences

Although invited to the hearing, representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) did not attend. Federal Deputy Arthur Maia (União Brasil-BA), who is rapporteur for Bill 733/25 in the special committee, criticized their absence.

“It’s a sign of disrespect toward Brazil’s environmental issues. I request the summons of the president of Ibama (Rodrigo Agostinho) and the Minister of the Environment (Marina Silva), so they can appear before this committee to clarify environmental matters in the port sector,” said Maia.

However, the committee’s chair, Federal Deputy Murilo Galdino (Republicanos-PB), clarified that only ministers can be summoned. “So, we will renew the invitation to the minister,” he said. The next public hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday, will continue the discussion.

Future hearings

Maia also made a verbal request to add two more public hearings — one focused on dredging and another on pilotage, which is not currently addressed in the bill.

Minister

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, confirmed he will attend the public hearing to be held by the special committee on September 17 at the Chamber of Deputies.

Two seminars are also planned to discuss changes to the Ports Law — one on September 30 in Bahia and another on October 1 in Santos.

Fonte: A Tribuna

Sharing is caring!