Brazil Advances National Cargo Theft Combat and Infrastructure Auctions Amid Regulatory and Legislative Developments

The legislative proposal PL 1096/25 has been incorporated into the national logistics agenda under FRENLOGI, aiming to establish a coordinated system against cargo theft across the country. This measure aligns with growing efforts to improve supply chain security and mitigate significant losses from criminal activity targeting freight. In the infrastructure sector, the Brazilian government is preparing a record 14 road concessions in 2026, involving investments totaling R$158 billion and encompassing 7,295 km of highways. These concessions include new stretches such as Rota dos Sertões and Rotas Gerais, alongside contract reconfigurations for existing concessions like Régis Bittencourt. The projects promise substantial infrastructure expansion including nearly 2,500 km of duplications and additional lanes, with a strong focus on attracting long-term private investment despite challenges like high interest rates.

In the port sector, the Tecon 10 terminal at Santos port remains mired in political and regulatory disputes. The Ministry of Ports and Aeroports favors a two-phase tender excluding shipowners in the initial round, following the Tribunal de Contas da União’s (TCU) recommendations, while the Casa Civil advocates unrestricted participation, notably allowing Chinese armadores a role. The ongoing impasse delays the auction, which was initially scheduled for late 2025 and may now occur as late as May 2026 or later, pending potential judicial interventions. This uncertainty affects market entry strategies and raises concerns about foreign investment dynamics, especially given the involvement of major global shipping companies and international political pressures.

On the procurement front, São Paulo’s municipal government formalized new consolidated rules for public tenders and administrative contracts effective February 2023, aligning with Brazil’s Federal Public Procurement Law (14.133/21). These guidelines emphasize governance, integrality, advanced planning, and quality over mere lowest price, introducing procedural innovations such as phase inversion and wider use of competitive dialogue to enhance transparency and efficiency. Transition measures respect existing contracts and ongoing processes while facilitating gradual adoption by administrative agents.

Together, these legislative, regulatory, and infrastructural initiatives reflect Brazil’s broader strategic push to modernize logistics security and public investment frameworks, with 2026 poised as a pivotal year for advancing economic infrastructure and addressing critical vulnerabilities in freight protection and public sector contracting.