Brazil's Senate Expands Federal Highway Police Powers to Include Waterways
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Brazil's Federal Senate approved the Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) on Public Security, which expands the powers of the Federal Highway Police (PRF) to allow it to carry out active patrolling of federal railways and waterways, in addition to the highways it already oversees. The text was voted on Tuesday, November 3, and now proceeds through the process for promulgation by the President of the National Congress, Davi Alcolumbre.
Vote and scope of the PEC
PEC 18/2025 received 73 votes in favor in the first round and 75 in the second, with no votes against, well above the minimum of 49 votes required for a constitutional amendment. In addition to expanding the PRF's jurisdiction, the measure incorporates the Unified Public Security System (SUSP) into the Constitution and provides for joint operations and information sharing among federal, state, Federal District, and municipal agencies, along with tougher measures against criminal factions and militias.
Impact on transport security
According to the Cargo Transport and Logistics Companies Union of Minas Gerais (Setcemg), allowing the PRF to also operate on waterways and railways broadens the institutional reach of public security across different modes of transport, in a country where the movement of goods depends on the integration of highways, railways, and waterways. The organization noted that cargo theft causes financial losses, endangers drivers, and can disrupt the flow of goods and supply chains.
The CNT's perspective on waterways
The National Transport Confederation (CNT), which according to Transporte Moderno has been following the progress of the PEC since 2025, noted that on waterways security also involves combating piracy and fuel theft, incidents that affect transport operations and may be linked to funding other illegal activities, such as illegal mining. The organization's Director of Institutional Relations, Valter Souza, stated that data integration is now one of the major challenges, since without it, it becomes harder to guide public policy and precisely identify the regions and corridors that require greater attention.
