Folder was recreated after being incorporated into the Ministry of Regional Development in the government of Jair Bolsonaro

President-elect Lula (PT) has already announced 37 ministries for his government in 2023 (14 more than the current government of Jair Bolsonaro). A good part of these new portfolios arises from dismemberments, such as the Ministry of Ports and Airports, whose sectors were part of Infrastructure. The PT's strategy is to give relevance to the airport and port sector, even though there are many criticisms for swelling the cabinet.

Lula guarantees that the creation of new ministries will not generate an increase in expenses. In addition, the creation of new portfolios, like the Ministry of Ports and Airports to take care of a vital and strategic sector for Brazil, will improve public policies, provide more efficient use of resources, in addition to strengthening the representativeness of agendas, according to the president-elect. The MPA will be commanded by Márcio França, former governor of São Paulo.

The first action already announced will be the cancellation of the attempt to privatize the Port of Santos (SP). Handing over what is the largest port terminal in Brazil to the private sector was a triumph to be achieved by the Bolsonaro government. On the other hand, the new head of the Ministry of Ports and Airports does not rule out the possibility of granting areas within the port and guarantees that the new government has no problems with the involvement of the private sector in port activities, and the State must be able to adequately regulate the sector.

In his first interview after being announced to head the Ministry of Ports and Airports, Márcio França said that transferring a port to the private sector requires a degree of advantages, with new investments. This shows that the new government is calm with the decision to cancel the Port of Santos auction. In 2022, the terminal handled more than 138 million tons (11,7% more than in the period from January to October last year).

Infraero strengthened with the Ministry of Ports and Airports

The Lula government's promise is to strengthen Infraero's activities in the airport sector. The Santos Dumont and Galeão airport concessions, which are scheduled for 2023, will be reviewed and may not happen.

The current government intended that Santos Dumont would be awarded in 2023 along with Galeão, which is still in the process of re-bidding, after problems forming the contract. The RioGaleão concessionaire wants reimbursement for unpaid investments. Two other airports face the same issues: São Gonçalo do Amarante, in Natal, and Viracopos, in Campinas (SP).

Expectations in the marine industry

Between 2007 and 2016, more than 600 vessels were completed in shipyards across Brazil. The number of jobs in the naval industry rose from 82 direct and 400 indirect, according to data from the National Union of Shipbuilding and Offshore Construction and Repair Industry (Sinaval). This was the industry's best period, due to local content policy and demand at the time.

During the Temer and Bolsonaro governments, orders were sent to shipyards in Asia. For 2023, what is expected is that this will be reversed so that the generation of jobs in the sector will once again be strong here in the country.

Shipbuilding representatives had a meeting with the infrastructure group of the transitional cabinet of the Lula da Silva (PT) government. The shipyards are in favor of a new program for the renewal of the maritime support fleet at Petrobras, along the lines of the old Petrobras Maritime Support Fleet Renewal Program (Prorefam).

According to the representatives, this policy would not depend on the budget, and it would be possible to resume it with resources from the Merchant Marine Fund (FMM).

The future of Petrobras and other state-owned companies

At least six state-owned companies will have their privatization intentions cancelled. They are: Petrobras, Correios, EBC, Nuclep, PPSA and Conab. The transition office will guide the ministries to revoke acts related to privatization processes in preparatory stages and not yet concluded.

Lula had already made it clear that it is against the privatization of Petrobras. In the government plan presented in the campaign, Lula records that the state-owned company will have its strategic and investment plan oriented towards energy security, national self-sufficiency in oil and derivatives, the guarantee of fuel supply in the country.

“(Petrobras) will once again be an integrated energy company, investing in exploration, production, refining and distribution, but also operating in segments that are connected to the ecological and energy transition, such as gas, fertilizers, biofuels and renewable energies. It is necessary to preserve the sharing regime, and the pre-salt social fund must be, once again, at the service of the future”.