• 4 min de lectura
• 4 min de lectura
Research, development, and innovation (R&D&I) will now be part of the annual planning of Brazilian port authorities. This change is outlined in the National Policy for Port Research, Development, and Innovation (PD&I Portos), established by Ordinance GM-MPor nº 53, of September 11, 2026, which sets guidelines to organize and expand innovation initiatives in the sector.
With the new policy, port authorities must prepare annual R&D&I plans, indicating investment sources and values, goals, and indicators, in addition to defining a responsible area for the topic. The measure also expands the collaboration of ports with universities, research institutions, startups, and development agencies.
Until now, the port sector did not have its own R&D&I Portos policy. Ports and terminals already developed projects in this area, but the initiatives were conducted individually. PD&I Portos creates a national benchmark to connect these actions and incorporate innovation into the sector's planning.
"The policy creates a structure for research, development, and innovation to be part of port planning. This allows for organizing projects, expanding approximation with research institutions, and seeking solutions that contribute to the efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness of the sector," says the Minister of Ports and Airports, Tomé Franca.
What changes
In addition to annual plans, the policy foresees training actions and partnerships with scientific and technological institutions and startups. R&D&I initiatives will also have a specific indicator in the Port Authority Management Index.
Another change may reach future projects in the sector. Public notices and concession instruments may include clauses to stimulate research, development, and innovation, respecting the characteristics of each contract and the competencies of the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq).
The agency may also articulate normative acts, studies, projects, programs, and initiatives of its strategic planning with PD&I Portos, within its competencies. For companies and other private agents, the policy is guiding and fostering in nature and does not, by itself, create new obligations.
How it will work
Ordinance nº 53 is already in force, but its implementation by port authorities will be gradual and will consider the size and institutional capacity of each one. They will be responsible for formally designating the area responsible for the R&D&I agenda, preparing and executing the annual planning, and providing information for monitoring and evaluating the policy.
The National Secretariat of Ports will coordinate the policy at the national level, including monitoring results and articulating with science and technology institutions, development agencies, financial institutions, and other agents. The Secretariat will have up to 180 days, counting from the publication of the ordinance, to present the schedule of studies that will detail the foreseen instruments.
Among these instruments is InovaPortos, an initiative aimed at articulating, fostering, and implementing innovation and digital transformation actions in the port sector.
The construction of the policy began to take shape from Navegue Simples, established in 2024, which included among its objectives the promotion of research and development in the port sector. The elaboration of PD&I Portos involved discussions of Working Group 6 (GT6) of the program, which brings together representatives from the public sector and almost 20 private entities.
In parallel, the Port Innovation Caravans have been traveling the country since February 2025 to discuss research, development, and innovation with sector agents. Editions have already been held in Recife, Salvador, São Luís, Fortaleza, Rio de Janeiro, Santos, Paranaguá, and Maceió. The next one is scheduled for December 1, 2, and 3, in Navegantes (SC).
In the medium and long term, the expectation is that innovation will cease to be concentrated in isolated initiatives and become part of the ports' routine, with teams, processes, and instruments aimed at project development and fundraising. The expectation is also to expand the exchange of experiences and the use of solutions that can improve the efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness of the sector.