• 2 min de lectura
• 2 min de lectura
Brasília, 09/28/2026 – Waterway transport surveillance requires recurrent monitoring of structures, operations, and areas that are large or have limited access. To support this work, since 2019, drones have been integrated into the tools used by the National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) to gather information and assist in inspection activities and the monitoring of port infrastructure.
At the Agency, the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) began to be tested in 2016, at the Porto Velho Regional Unit (UREPV), as an initiative of Regulation Specialist Wescley Sousa. With a privately owned drone, he proposed testing the tool in inspection actions, and the experience paved the way for ANTAQ's adoption of the technology. In 2019, the use of RPAs was formalized with a pilot training course aimed at the correct operation of the equipment.
According to Sousa, aerial images brought "a qualitative leap for inspection activities." The tool facilitates the observation of hard-to-reach structures, such as the top of warehouses and port equipment, without physically exposing inspectors. The records can also assist in measuring areas, calculating volumetry, and creating three-dimensional models of facilities.
Drones are also used to monitor vehicle flow on access roads to ports, yard occupancy, and movement at terminals. The images produced during flights are integrated into and support reports and analyses prepared by staff.
Monitoring of works and technical cooperation
The technology is not restricted to inspection activities. The Agency also uses the aircraft in other areas, such as monitoring and validating the physical progress of planned infrastructure works.
And training for operating the equipment also promotes integration among agencies: in the courses offered by the Agency, spots are reserved for employees of partner institutions, such as the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), Anatel, the Brazilian Navy, and port authorities. Cooperation also occurs on other fronts: the Federal Police, for example, occasionally offers ANTAQ employees training in photogrammetry, aerial mapping, and geospatial data processing.