Brazil Prepares for Port Modernisation Program

The federal government prepares to launch a set of measures designed to modernise Brazil's port infrastructure

The federal government - by means of the Office of the President's Chief of Staff, the Office of the General Counsel to the Federal Government, the special secretary of ports, and the National Agency for Waterways Transportation (ANTAQ) - is preparing to launch a set of measures designed to modernise Brazil's port infrastructure.

First, auctions will be held for new public terminals, with Manaus, Espirito Santo and Ilheus (and possibly Imbituba) likely to be the terminals first auctioned.

ANTAQ has already submitted the draft resolution for organisation of the auctions to the president's chief of staff. The draft provides for the presentation of technical and economic feasibility studies for the project and a concession contract with a 25-year term (extendable for an additional 25 years by interested parties).

Second, a bidding process has been announced for the 98 terminals that were leased before the enactment of the Ports Law 1993, the contracts of which have already been terminated or will end shortly, and which do not admit the possibility of extension.

Third, a review of contracts of delegated ports (ie, those that had their administration delegated to state or municipal governments) will be carried out. The ports of Paranagua, Itaqui and Rio Grande are expected to be the first targets.