A survey carried out by ONTL recently pointed out that, in addition to contributing to the diversification of the transport matrix in Brazil, the prices of cabotage cargo transport with BR do Mar will become even lower in the country.

The National Transport and Logistics Observatory (ONTL) carried out a recent survey regarding the benefits of the Bill known as BR do Mar in Brazil and, until this Tuesday (05/07), the projections are favorable to the transport of cargo by cabotage. This is because, according to the organization's surveys, prices for moving goods between Brazilian ports will be reduced over the next few years. 

ONTL research proves that BR do Mar will bring strong benefits to cargo transport prices with the adoption of cabotage in ports in Brazil 

The Bill for the Cabotage Stimulus Program, known as BR do Mar, is the Federal Government's biggest bet for the Brazilian port sector in the coming years, as it encourages the use of movement between the country's ports to diversify the matrix of transport. However, this is not the only benefit that the project will bring: an ONTL survey proved that BR do Mar will also help to reduce cargo transport prices in Brazil. 

Thus, according to research carried out by the agency, in order to move cargo of approximately 38 thousand TEUs (unit of measurement), over a given period, between the ports of Suape (PE) and Santos (SP), 14 ships are needed with an estimated cost of R$ 88 million.

To carry out the same route by road, it would be necessary to use a total of 20 trucks and would cost 400% more, proving the high costs for road transport compared to water transport. 

BR do Mar entered into force in 2022 and, after a good result in cabotage in the previous year, since data from the Ministry of Infrastructure show that cabotage navigation grew 5,6% in 2021 compared to 2020, the The expectation is that the results will be even better this year. Thus, Federal Deputy Sérgio Souza (MDB-PR) highlighted that it is the ideal time for Brazil to diversify the modes of transport used to move cargo and take advantage of the high potential of national ports. 

BR do Mar is just one of the government's measures to encourage diversification in cargo transport in Brazil and reduce operation prices

Although BR do Mar is the main bet of the Brazilian government to reduce the prices of cargo transport operations, due to the low costs cabotage, the national authority seeks other ways to diversify the transport matrix in the country. Among the measures is the legal framework for railroads, for example, which has the potential to increase the share of trains in the matrix from 20% to 40%.

Thus, Gilberto Gomes, specialist in transport infrastructure, highlighted that this is the ideal time for changes in modes and said: “If we take, for example, the reforms in the railway sector, there is practically a revolution, in which you stop doing railroads with public investments from concessions to enable individuals to build their own railroads through authorization. This shows that we will have a possibility in the near future of having a reduction in the cost of production due to an optimization of transport modes”.

Now, the national market advances in investments to make the prices of cargo transport activities decreasing and BR do Mar, added to the Legal Framework of Railways, will be essential for a perspective of growth in the sector during the next years.