ANTAQ Engages Industry Stakeholders in Port Regulation Discussion

The National Agency for Waterway Transportation (ANTAQ)’s public consultation to gather suggestions for possible amendments to Normative Resolution 7/2016, which refers to port regulation in public-owned areas, ends next Thursday (4). Suggestions can only be submitted through an electronic form available at specific venues.

The creation of new rules to protect companies and port terminals from new models of maintaining port activities has stirred the sector. One of the rules concerns expanding the hiring scope for activities in public ports. A public hearing was held on March 14 to gather contributions, subsidies, and suggestions for proposal improvement.

As reported by A Tribuna on March 22, ANTAQ states that “the norm does not address port concessions but rather contracts of different natures that can be inked for exploring economically a specific area or facility. In this sense, the resolution will broaden the range of contracting forms, eliminating legal uncertainties and overcoming paradigms, facilitating new business ventures in public ports.”

The agency further explained that “the proposed normative change does not affect the authorized private terminals; it only applies to public ports,” meaning private use terminals (TUP), cargo transshipment stations (ETC), small public port installations (IP4), and tourism port installations (IPTur) are not included.

On the topic of needing to revisit the regulation currently in place, ANTAQ believes that ”

The current port regulation rules are outdated when compared to Federal Law 14,047 from 2020. Decree 10,139 from 2019 encourages the agency to update regulations regularly. There’s a need to regulate new advancements expected by the sector, especially after operational audits by control agencies, considering market growth. This includes addressing issues like underutilized areas”

The agency says the rule “is still being worked on, and the public hearing is meant to collect input from the sector.” They add, “We’re reviewing all information to see if they fit with the rules and are effective, using different cost-benefit and effectiveness measures.”

Opinion

Caio Morel, Executive Director of the Brazilian Association of Container Terminals (Abratec), thinks that the Regulatory Resolution is very important for the port sector because it sets rules for using specific areas and facilities in the port. So, “after more than eight years without changes, Abratec thinks it’s time to update it.”

“The Association shared its thoughts at the public meeting and will send written suggestions within the deadline. Having new operators in unused areas is good, but the Agency must be careful when giving out new permits to make sure that new goods move efficiently and that there’s more demand for port services,” he explains.

Source: A Tribuna

Click here to read the original news article: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/antaq-mantem-consulta-publica-ate-quinta-feira-sobre-exploracao-de-areas-portuarias

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