Minister proposes revising current Ports Law instead of creating new legislation

The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, suggested revising sections of Law 12.815/2013, which is currently in effect, instead of creating a new Ports Law through the approval of Bill (PL) 733/2025. The suggestion was made to the special committee of deputies analyzing the bill during a public hearing held this Wednesday (17) at the Chamber of Deputies. In addition, Costa Filho stated that the Federal Government will present a joint proposal with the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) within ten days.

“We will finalize our proposal with Antaq to be presented to the committee, which will reflect the Government’s position,” said the minister. He asked the bill’s author, federal deputy Leur Lomanto Júnior (União-BA), and rapporteur, deputy Arthur Maia (União-BA), for a technical-legislative review of sections of Law 12.815/2013 instead of approving an entirely new law. “This is a suggestion that deserves reflection,” he noted.

Costa Filho was cautious but firm in defending the responsibilities of each government entity, since PL 733 proposes transferring part of the Ministry of Ports and Airports’ (MPor) functions to Antaq.

“I hope we can make progress on labor legislation, lease arrangements, institutional security, and the institutional roles of the Federal Government, Antaq, labor federations, and the port sector. Each one working within their responsibilities can contribute more than overlapping each other’s functions. That may not work well.”

Labor

The minister also called for greater attention from lawmakers to the agreement signed between the national federations of Stevedores (FNE), Port Workers (FNP), and Cargo Checkers, Watchmen, Block Workers, Loaders, and Ship Riggers (Fenccovib), together with the National Federation of Port Operations (Fenop).

“We are undervaluing the agreement reached between workers’ federations and the employers. On a sensitive issue, which was the end of Ogmo’s (Labor Management Organization) exclusivity, we managed to make progress on direct hiring of workers and professional certification. This will boost job creation by 20% to 30%, attracting private sector participation focused on training, because ports face challenges in finding qualified labor,” he said.

Longer contracts

The minister also expressed support for contracts of up to 70 years. “This creates a much larger investment horizon. What we need to discuss is how the structure of these contracts will allow them to be renewed up to 70 years,” he commented.

Costa Filho added that the Federal Government is monitoring the proposal to eliminate the Technical, Economic, and Environmental Feasibility Study (EVTEA), and declared support for integrated environmental licensing. “We will present an innovative proposal aimed at streamlining and accelerating projects.”

The minister expressed concern over the proposal to return the Port Authority Council (CAP), currently an advisory body, to a decision-making role. “This could bring inherent risks and increase bureaucracy.”

Costa Filho also raised concerns about the proposal for self-regulation by the private sector. “We need to reflect on how the private sector would supervise itself. Who would oversee the investment plans?”

Finally, although he suggested only updating the 2013 law, he offered a generally positive assessment of PL 733/2025, stating that the proposal to revise the legal framework for Brazil’s port system “aims to cut bureaucracy, accelerate investments, and improve Law 12.815/2013.”

Visit to Santos

The Chamber of Deputies’ special committee reviewing Bill 733/2025, which updates Brazil’s port legal framework, will conduct technical visits to the Port of Santos on September 30 at 3 p.m. and October 1 at 10 a.m.

The committee, installed on July 9 this year, is tasked with analyzing and issuing a report on the bill, based on the work plan presented in the August 6 legislative session. It will hold 11 public hearings and technical visits to the ports of Santos, Paranaguá (Paraná), Itajaí (Santa Catarina), Aratu (Bahia), Suape (Pernambuco), Cabedelo (Paraíba), Pecém and Mucuripe (Ceará), Itaqui (Maranhão), and Manaus (Amazonas).

The bill is subject to conclusive approval by the committee members. In other words, once approved, it may proceed directly to the Senate without going to the Chamber’s plenary. A plenary vote will only occur if an appeal is filed by one-tenth of the deputies (51 lawmakers) and approved by the House. After passing both chambers and being sanctioned by the President, the new measure would replace the current 2013 law.

Source: A Tribuna

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