National Waterway Transport Agency Suspends Port Fee

The National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ) is an entity that integrates the indirect Federal Administration, with a special autonomous regime, with legal personality governed by public law, administrative independence, financial and functional autonomy, linked to the Ministry of Infrastructure.

ANTAQ suspended the port fee “Use of Protection Infrastructure and Waterway Access” implemented by EMAP – Empresa Maranhense de Administração Portuária in São Luís, Maranhão.

ANTAQ is an entity that integrates the indirect Federal Administration, with a special autonomous regime, with legal personality governed by public law, administrative independence, financial and functional autonomy, linked to the Ministry of Infrastructure. It was created by Law nº 10.233, of June 5, 2001 and installed on February 17, 2002.

ANTAQ’s purpose is to implement the policies formulated by the Ministry of Infrastructure, according to the principles and guidelines established in the legislation. It is responsible for regulating, supervising and inspecting the activities of providing waterway transport services and operating the port and waterway infrastructure.

The Agency is dedicated to making the movement of people and goods through Brazilian waterways more economical and safe, in compliance with standards of efficiency, safety, comfort, regularity, punctuality and affordability in freight and tariffs.

It arbitrates conflicts of interest to prevent situations that constitute imperfect competition or infringement against the economic order, and harmonises the interests of users with those of companies and entities in the sector, always preserving the public interest.

Port charges are the fees that shipping operators and their customers pay to port authorities for the use of the port’s facilities and services. Port charges can be a significant component (up to several percent) of the final price of consumer goods.

The port fee was set to be charged as from today and applies to ships that use the common navigable areas of São Marcos Bay used to access the Ponta da Madeira Terminal, the Alumar Terminal and any other Private Use Terminal that may be installed in the region.