Abiarroz demands improvements in cabotage transport at Antaq

The Brazilian Rice Industry Association (Abiarroz) participated in a meeting at the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) in Brasília to defend the need for improvements in coastal maritime transportation, which consists of navigation between ports in the same country for the distribution of products in the domestic market. The meeting, mediated by Antaq, brought together shippers (rice processing companies), representatives of terminals and shipowners (ship operating companies). 

Discussions began in April of this year, after the Agency created a rice logistics diagnostic committee, aiming to identify bottlenecks and address the main demands of the rice sector. Wednesday's meeting was the third related to the agenda, but the first with the participation of representatives of terminals and shipping companies. 

“The biggest impact is on the price of the product for the end consumer in the North and Northeast regions, since most of the rice production comes from Rio Grande do Sul. If you have higher logistics costs, contractual delays, or the need to pay for storage, this means that this cost is included in the price of the product,” explains Abiarroz executive director Andressa Silva (pictured). 

“If the industry opts for road transport, it will burden the consumer even more, since the freight price is higher. That is why these improvements in logistics infrastructure are so important,” he adds. 

According to the director, the meeting will contribute to direct dialogue between rice companies, terminals and shipping companies. Anaq, in turn, will continue working on a diagnosis of cereal logistics, while the private sector will seek improvements in cabotage transport processes based on a joint construction.