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Decree Regulates The BR Do Mar After More Than 4 Years Of Waiting. Maritime Sector Projects Billion-Dollar Savings And Increased Competitiveness.
The BR Do Mar, a project created to boost cabotage in Brazil, has just gained real strength: the government signed the decree that regulates its application.
The measure, awaited since 2021, aims to modernize maritime transport, reduce logistics costs, and enhance the competitiveness of the national industry, with a direct impact on the economy and the environment.
The decree was signed with the endorsement of strategic ministries, such as Ports and Planning.
The expectation now is that the practical effects will begin to be felt as early as the second half of 2025.
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Cabotage On The Rise: From Paper To Port
With the signing of the decree, the BR Do Mar officially comes off the paper. The promise is to increase the use of cabotage by 40% by 2026, facilitating navigation between national ports with less bureaucracy and more efficiency.
The regulation is seen as a watershed moment in the sector, which already moves more than R$ 80 billion annually.
The text regulates everything from chartering rules to technical navigation criteria. This provides more predictability for entrepreneurs and port operators who previously operated under uncertainty.
Billion-Dollar Impact On Transport
Government studies indicate that the initiative could save up to R$ 18 billion in logistics costs per year. Transport by ships consumes less fuel, has lower CO₂ emissions, and reduces road traffic.
Cabotage may become the most strategic option for long distances in a country of continental dimensions like Brazil.
Furthermore, impact studies indicate gains in competitiveness for sectors such as agribusiness and construction.
The expected result is cheaper transportation that is less dependent on deteriorated highways.
More Ships, More Jobs
With the new framework, shipowners will be able to use foreign vessels with fewer legal barriers, generating direct and indirect jobs in the naval sector.
Additionally, the initiative could stimulate domestic shipbuilding, creating a new cycle of industrial investment and expanding the reach of smaller ports in the country.
The expectation is for up to 40,000 new jobs along the production chain, from the parts industry to the maintenance sector. The government also intends to create incentives for the use of maritime biofuels.
Unlocking To Develop
Since its creation in 2020, the BR Do Mar faced regulatory obstacles. The decree signed in July 2025 corrects gaps and enables integrated operations between ports and railways, making Brazil more competitive in global trade.
A structural change awaited by exporters, operators, and consumers.
With the unlocking, states like Maranhão, Pernambuco, and Santa Catarina are expected to become new distribution hubs. Port decentralization is one of the pillars of the new plan.
Brazil On The Blue Route
With the new phase, the country joins nations like China and the USA that are heavily investing in domestic maritime transport.
The BR Do Mar can now finally fulfill its promise of being the “blue highway” of the future — more economical, sustainable, and strategic for a Brazil looking to navigate in more modern waters.
The market is already reacting: logistics companies have announced new contracts and projects. The insurance and foreign trade sectors also estimate advances in the predictability and coverage of coastal routes.
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