WebSummit Portogente 2017 - Sérgio Aquino, diretor-presidente da Fenop

Summary

In this interview, Sérgio Aquino, president of the National Federation of Port Operators (Fenop), discusses the challenges and issues with Brazil's port legislation, particularly focusing on the 2013 law that replaced the 1993 law. He argues that the new legislation is outdated, unnecessary, and harmful to the competitiveness of public ports, emphasizing the need for a revision. Aquino advocates for the professionalization and decentralization of port administration and highlights the importance of training the port workforce. He also addresses the inefficiencies of the training fund managed by the Navy and proposes a new model for better allocation of resources to improve worker qualifications.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 2013 Brazilian port law (Law 12.815) is criticized for being outdated, unnecessary, and not aligning with global best practices in port management.
• 😀 The previous law (8.630 from 1993) was considered effective and followed international standards, particularly the landlord port model, which was successful globally.
• 😀 Centralization of port administration in Brasília is a major flaw of the new law, undermining local port authorities and diminishing competitiveness.
• 😀 Private terminals are placed at a competitive disadvantage by the law, with different sets of rules compared to public terminals, leading to unequal competition.
• 😀 Sérgio Aquino advocates for decentralizing port management, suggesting that local authorities should have more control instead of decisions being centralized in Brasília.
• 😀 He emphasizes the importance of professionalizing and depoliticizing port administrations, which would create a more efficient and competitive environment.
• 😀 The current training system for port workers is inefficient, with funds collected for training not being properly utilized, leading to a lack of necessary skills development.
• 😀 Aquino proposes reforming the port training system, suggesting it should be aligned with other national industrial training systems, such as SENAI and SENAC.
• 😀 He also advocates for a competitive and fair environment where both public and private ports follow the same regulatory framework, ensuring equality in operations.
• 😀 Sérgio Aquino stresses that improving workforce qualification is crucial for the success of Brazil’s ports, both for operational workers and administrative staff.
• 😀 FENOP is actively working on a proposal to reform the law, focusing on workforce training and port management improvements to enhance Brazil’s global port competitiveness.

Q & A

What is the main issue with the current Brazilian port law (2.800.15) according to Sérgio Aquino?

Sérgio Aquino argues that the current law, implemented in 2013, is outdated, unnecessary, and misaligned with global best practices. He believes the law is detrimental to Brazilian ports' competitiveness and centralizes decision-making in Brasília, undermining local port authorities.

Why does Sérgio Aquino consider the 1993 port law (8.630) better than the new law?

Aquino states that the 1993 law was well debated, followed global best practices, and was based on the successful 'landlord' model. It allowed for a partnership between public and private sectors where the government managed port areas and private companies handled terminal operations. He believes the new law unnecessarily disrupts this model.

What does the 'landlord' model refer to in port management?

The 'landlord' model refers to a system where the government owns and manages port areas, while private companies are responsible for investing in and operating terminals. This model has been successful worldwide for maintaining a balance between public oversight and private investment.

How does the new port law create imbalance in the industry?

The new law introduces two different regimes for private and public terminals, creating unequal rules that hinder competition. Private terminals have more favorable conditions, making it harder for public ports to remain competitive.

What does Sérgio Aquino suggest about decentralizing port administration?

Aquino suggests that decentralizing port administration is essential for improving competitiveness. He emphasizes that, currently, local port administrations have lost authority, and decisions are centralized in Brasília, which limits local control and responsiveness.

What role do political influences play in port administration according to Aquino?

Aquino highlights that political influences still heavily impact port administration. Even though the administrations are weakened, political parties appoint directors, and this political interference prevents the necessary professionalization and efficient functioning of the ports.

What are the key challenges in the training and qualification of port workers?

The challenges include ineffective use of funds allocated for worker training, as the system is not properly managed. Although companies pay into a fund for training, the funds are not adequately utilized, which leads to a lack of proper training for the workforce in the port sector.

What changes does Fenop propose for the training and qualification of port workers?

Fenop proposes that training funds should be managed by the private sector, like other training systems (Senai, Senac), to ensure better usage. The goal is to create a system where businesses pay for training, and the workers are equipped with the skills needed for modern port operations.

How does Sérgio Aquino view the relationship between capital and labor in the port industry?

Aquino believes that for the port industry to evolve, both capital (investment) and labor (workers) must be effectively trained and qualified. He stresses that without proper training, neither the industry nor the workers can remain competitive on a global scale.

What is Fenop's stance on the port law and its impact on private and public terminals?

Fenop is advocating for a revision of the port law to ensure greater competitiveness and equality between private and public terminals. They believe that the current law creates significant disparities and that a fairer system is needed to balance the interests of both sectors.