Brazil’s waterway regulator blocks R$23 mln in disputed container detention charges

Brazil’s National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ) prevented the improper collection of R$23.09 million in container detention and demurrage charges, assessed between August and December 2025, after mediating agreements between cargo owners, shipping agents and shipowners.

Container detention and demurrage are fees charged by the ocean carrier that owns the container to the cargo owner—importer or exporter—when equipment remains in the customer’s possession beyond the free time stipulated in the contract.

The first conciliation hearing took place on Aug. 26 last year. Since then, ANTAQ has held 240 meetings, with agreements reached in 176 cases, resolving 73.3% of the disputes. The hearings are part of the implementation of Ruling 521-2025, which encourages faster and more effective conflict resolution based on the agency’s regulatory framework (ANTAQ Resolution No. 62/2021).

ANTAQ’s role in reviewing irregular charges

The conciliation hearings are organized by ANTAQ’s Specialized Inspection Group for Containers (GEF Containers), which operates under the Coordination of Regional Units. After reviewing each case, files that show indications of irregular detention charges are placed in the conciliation queue.

The meetings are conducted by two GEF Containers officials—a conciliator and an assistant—and are held online via Microsoft Teams. Participants include the complainant (the cargo owner), the company that issued the invoice, the performing carrier and any other companies involved.

Source: Antaq

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