Antaq inspection identifies infrastructure and management bottlenecks at five ports
A report points to deteriorating structures, draft restrictions, low investment execution, and financial weaknesses at the ports of Fortaleza, Natal, Manaus, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro.
An inspection by the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq) at five public ports identified problems affecting infrastructure maintenance, investment capacity, and the organization of operations. The port authorities responsible for the ports of Fortaleza, Natal, Manaus, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro were assessed.
The diagnosis showed that the existence of formal governance plans and mechanisms has not, in every case, resulted in interventions capable of preserving assets and improving waterway and land access. Recurring issues include the deterioration of quays and piers, draft restrictions, and difficulties in carrying out planned works.
Manaus appears as the most critical case
In the technical assessment, the Port of Manaus presented the most serious situation. The inspection recorded recurring failures in monitoring operators and lessees, accounting and information problems, and a lack of formalized performance targets between the port authority and the government of Amazonas.
Obstacles to daily operations were also identified, including poor internal circulation, the absence of a regulation yard, and the lack of an electronic scheduling system. According to the diagnosis, the State Superintendency of Navigation, Ports, and Waterways has not been fully performing its duties to organize infrastructure and supervise port activities.
Natal combines operational restrictions and lost revenue
At the Port of Natal, Antaq linked the operating limitations to channel siltation and the need for dredging. Codern, the company responsible for the terminal, was also described as being in a concerning financial situation, with negative operating cash flows, falling revenue, and the loss of its regular container service.
A dredging project began in April 2026. The project is intended to bring the channel to a depth of 12.5 meters and allow ships up to 237 meters long to pass. Because the work was still under way, the initiative did not support the conclusion that the draft restrictions had already been eliminated.
In view of the structural and financial problems, the technical staff recommended opening an investigation and forwarding the findings to the Ministry of Ports and Airports.
Other ports also have compromised works and management
In Fortaleza, Companhia Docas do Ceará reported progress in governance, planning, and internal controls. Even so, the inspection found maintenance problems at the Oil Pier, draft restrictions, and difficulties with land access. The condition of the structure had already led to an infraction notice and a ban on vehicle traffic on the access bridge.
In Recife, dependence on public resources was identified as one of the main obstacles. The port does not have enough own-source revenue to fund maintenance and construction needs and has accumulated a financial deficit since 2018. The technical staff recommended that the federal government assess whether to continue the delegation agreement.
The Port of Recife administration said that, since 2023, it has been working to reduce liabilities, balance its accounts, and increase revenue. According to the port authority, average annual revenue rose from R$48.6 million in 2024 to R$55 million in 2025. It also mentioned investments in dredging, security, maintenance, drainage, and paving, as well as lease auctions that generated more than R$4 million in grants.
In Rio de Janeiro, PortosRio had recognized advances in governance, integrity, and strategic planning, but reported negative equity, dependence on lease revenue from the Port of Itaguaí, and low budget execution. In 2024, 44.7% of the R$471 million budgeted was executed. By February 2025, execution stood at 0.4% of the R$316 million scheduled for that year.
Antaq recommended prioritizing the execution of projects, especially dredging and structural reinforcement of the Gamboa Quay. Reporting Director Alber Vasconcelos said that the identified challenge is not limited to preparing plans: it involves turning them into actions for conservation, safety, improved access, and the economic use of port areas.
The agency intends to expand inspections to compare the performance of public ports nationwide, identify recurring bottlenecks, and assess differences between management models.