Brazil's port sector has taken an important step toward strengthening security with the launch of the Port and Customs Security Best Practices Guide, presented last Tuesday (October 7) in Brasília. The document brings together a comprehensive set of 67 recommendations aimed at protecting port infrastructures against increasingly complex and diverse threats.
Coordinated by the Association of Private Port Terminals, the guide was developed in partnership with the Federal University of Maranhão and received collaboration from the Port Coalition, as well as the Brazilian Association of Port and Waterway Entities and sector experts.
The publication addresses a wide range of risks, including cargo theft and robbery, trafficking and smuggling, presence of stowaways, terrorism, sabotage, industrial espionage and cyberattacks. To address these challenges, the guide proposes the adoption of advanced technologies, such as drones, radars, thermal cameras, facial recognition and metal detectors, in addition to reinforcing the importance of continuous training and operational simulations.
According to ATP's president, Murillo Barbosa, the document represents a strategic tool for the sector. The initiative seeks to encourage the adoption of best practices aligned with national and international standards, in addition to promoting greater integration among the various agents involved in port operations.
The guide also highlights that the evolution of port security in Brazil depends directly on cooperation among institutions such as the Federal Police, Brazilian Federal Revenue, port administrations and international bodies. Among the recommendations are the creation of task forces, joint operations, coordinated information networks and hybrid policing models.
Another central point of the document is the use of intelligent technologies, including video surveillance systems and artificial intelligence tools. These resources enable real-time monitoring, predictive risk analysis and faster incident responses, raising the standard of protection for port operations.
In addition to technology, the guide reinforces the need for an organizational culture focused on security and collaborative governance between public and private sectors. The proposal is to consolidate a safer, more efficient and reliable environment for Brazilian foreign trade.
According to ATP, the guide does not replace existing legislation, but acts as a complementary instrument, guiding managers and operators in the adoption of more modern and integrated practices. Implementation of the measures, however, will depend on the joint commitment of all actors involved in the port system.
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