ANTAQ determines tariff reductions in case of infrastructure problems

In a pivotal decision, the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) instructed port authorities to implement tariff discounts for larger vessels unable to access port access channels safely due to maintenance issues.

The directive arose from a regulatory review of tariff discounts, revision timing, and user participation in port tariff reviews. This analysis began in response to a petition filed by representative entities expressing concerns about the application of port tariffs, particularly with regard to large vessels encountering restrictions due to inadequate port infrastructure.

The entity requested the consideration of tariff discounts for large ships unable to navigate port access channels safely due to infrastructure problems. Additionally, it defined a minimum period of 60 days in advance for implementing new tariffs and increased involvement of stakeholders in tariff reviews.

In his decision, the process’s rapporteur, Director Wilson Lima Filho, also determined that future ANTAQ deliberations on tariff projects should adhere to specific timelines for the effectiveness of tariff changes. These include the inclusion of new modalities (60 days), extraordinary tariff review (60 days), ordinary tariff review (60 days), periodic annual adjustment (30 days), and changes in application rules (10 days).

Task Force Establishment

The ANTAQ board also created a Task Force composed of members from the Regulation, Inspection, and Coordination of Regional Units Superintendence, as well as the Performance, Sustainability, and Innovation Superintendence. This task force has been given a 120-day timeline to submit a report considering the need to evaluate investment schedules and service levels for each organized port.

The document will propose methods for collecting and analyzing data to enable the creation or incorporation into existing panels of graphs and tables that aid in monitoring investments and service levels.

The decision will be officially published in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU) in the coming days.

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