Key Highlights
- The desembargador Celso Peel emphasizes the urgency of approving a new maritime law to modernize Brazilian port operations.
- A new project, PL 733/2025, aims to replace the current Law on Ports (Law 12.815/2013) with a more advanced regulatory framework.
- The desembargador cites the importance of this legislation for enhancing Brazil’s competitiveness in international trade and investment.
- He highlights the need to address administrative decentralization, which would provide greater autonomy to port authorities.
New Maritime Law Seeks to Modernize Brazilian Ports: Urgency Highlighted by Desembargador Celso Peel
In an era where global trade and competitiveness are paramount, the desembargador Celso Peel of the Tribunal Regional do Trabalho da 2ª Região (Greater São Paulo and coastal region) emphasizes that Brazil urgently needs to modernize its port regulations. This necessity is underscored by the desembargador in his recent comments during an interview with Consultor Jurídico.
The proposed PL 733/2025, a legislative project aimed at creating a new regulatory framework for Brazilian ports, has gained attention from legal and business circles. According to the desembargador, this law is crucial not only because it will streamline administrative processes but also because it will facilitate investment and improve Brazil’s standing in international trade.
Decentralization and Investment
The desembargador cites the ongoing Tecon Santos 10 project as an example. This megaterminal, currently stalled due to federal bureaucratic delays, would greatly enhance the port’s capacity to handle larger container ships. The desembargador argues that if the proposed law is enacted quickly, the licensing process could be handled more efficiently by local authorities, thus expediting such projects.
“If this project were approved,” Celso Peel states, “we would see a significant reduction in decision-making time, allowing for faster execution of large-scale investments like the Tecon Santos 10. This is essential to keep up with global standards and maintain our competitive edge.” The desembargador’s comments were made during the IV Congresso Nacional e II Internacional da Magistratura do Trabalho, held in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná.
Impact on Trade
The desembargador’s perspective is that modernizing port regulations could have substantial benefits for Brazil’s economy. “Every product we export and import through our ports directly impacts the country’s trade balance,” he notes. “With larger container ships becoming more common, having a more efficient regulatory framework will ensure that we can handle these vessels effectively and cost-effectively.” This is particularly important given the growing role of agricultural commodities in Brazil’s exports.
“The current port infrastructure struggles to keep up with the demand, especially as our agriculture sector expands,” explains Celso Peel. “We need a regulatory system that can adapt quickly to meet these demands and ensure that Brazilian goods are shipped efficiently around the world.” This view is echoed by many in Brazil’s business community who see modern port regulations as key to unlocking further growth potential.
Current Legislative Status
The PL 733/2025, authored by Deputado Leur Lomanto Júnior (União-BA), is currently under review in a special committee at the Chamber of Deputies. The desembargador’s comments add weight to calls for its swift approval. With the ministry of ports announcing plans to hold the Tecon Santos 10 tender in March 2026, pressure is mounting on lawmakers to act quickly.
“The delay in decision-making costs us,” concludes Celso Peel. “Every day we wait, Brazil loses out on potential economic gains.
We need this law now more than ever.” His words ring true as the stakes for modernizing Brazilian port operations become increasingly clear against a backdrop of growing global competition.
The launch of the Anuário da Justiça do Trabalho 2025 during the congress further underscores the importance of these discussions. As Brazil seeks to strengthen its position in international trade, the desembargador’s call for action serves as a clarion call for legislators and policymakers alike.