Silvio Costa Filho takes office at the Ministry of Ports and Airports

The Ministry of Ports and Airports is under the leadership of Silvio Costa Filho as of Wednesday (13). The federal deputy is a member of the party Republicanos and is replacing Márcio França, who took office in December and will lead the Ministry of Micro and Small Enterprises, which is yet to be created by the Federal Government.

In the morning, according to A Tribuna, the inauguration ceremony will be restricted to a small gathering of politicians and the President. It is still unclear regarding other changes that may be made in the ministry.

The nomination of Costa Filho, 41 years old, is part of a ministerial reshuffle organized by Lula to allow the entry of the more centre-right-leaning parties into his administration. The ministry is coveted due to its scope and the federal budget available for projects and works.

Regarding the Baixada Santista region, the Santos-Guarujá tunnel and the Metropolitan Civil Airport at the Santos Air Base in the Vicente de Carvalho District fall within this scope.

Continuity

Industry experts consulted by A Tribuna hope for continuity in terms of the policies directly related to the Port of Santos, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere.

Marcelo Neri, President of the National Federation of Maritime Navigation Agencies (Fenamar), highlights four points related to the Santos port complex. The first is the modernization and expansion of infrastructure for Brazilian foreign trade “in order to improve operational efficiency and increase cargo handling capacity.”

The second involves logistics and an integrated view. “To optimize the flow of goods, it is essential to continue promoting the integration of transportation modes, such as railways and highways.”

The third concerns environmental sustainability, such as the project involving green hydrogen promoted by the Port Authority of Santos. “Environmental management is a growing concern. The new minister will need to focus on sustainable initiatives, such as reducing pollutant emissions and proper waste management,” he recommends.

The fourth is to target regional development, considering the significant impact on the economy brought by the Port of Santos. “Projects already underway deserve special attention, such as the Santos-Guarujá tunnel, the Valongo Park, and the dredging of the access channel. I would also highlight the improvement of land accessibility. A new access road to the complex would be the largest project for the logistics sector in São Paulo and Brazil,” Neri adds.

In addition to these points, port consultant Ivam Jardim also recommends retaining the technical team in the National Secretariat of Ports and Waterway Transportation, which is part of the ministry’s structure.

Source: A Tribuna

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