In a bid to save on costs and to focus on infrastructure for shippers, the Brazilian government has announced that the Special Ports Ministry (SEP) is to be scrapped and incorporated by the Transport Ministry, according to JOC.com.
Wilen Manteli, President of the Brazilian Association of Ports and Terminals, said: “I understand that Brasilia must reduce the number of ministries, but there are other options that would maintain the SEP. The port sector is so very important for foreign trade and for the economy. This is not the way. All we can hope for now is that the new minister at least allows the port sector some autonomy.
However, Quintella Lessa, Federal Deputy for the Patido do Republica, said: “With regard to infrastructure, we will make a great effort to grant more concessions and privatise as much as possible.”
Technical Paper: Porto Itapoá’s Award-Winning Operations
PTI previously reported that Brasil Terminal Portuário, which is a joint-venture between APM Terminals and Terminal Investment Limited had achieved two new productivity records.
The port was able to move 206 containers per hour while handling 1,980 containers from the 6328 TEU capacity MSC Geneva.
This followed news that Brazil had announced the launch of a US$10 billion master plan which would see investments made into the country’s ports until 2042.
The investments are being made to prepare for the surge in growth that is expected in the coming years, which will therefore require an increase in port capacity.
