Silvio Costa Filho leaves MPor after management marked by high investments and record movements

After two and a half years at the helm of the Ministry of Ports and Airports, between September 2023 and March 2026, minister Silvio Costa Filho left office, this Tuesday (31), with the legacy of a management marked by a period of modernization and strategic investments that boosted Brazil’s economic and social development. With a focus on connectivity and inclusion, the portfolio recreated by the Government of Brazil has achieved significant results, consolidating a new cycle of growth for both sectors.

One of the management axes was attracting investments for the modes. “During the period in which we were in charge of the department, we were looking for resources to contribute to the present and future of infrastructure in Brazil. With this, we modernized the country and prepared it for a new cycle of growth”, stated minister Silvio Costa Filho.

MPor’s actions had a direct impact on people’s lives, with the creation of immediate jobs during works and movements, with permanent and qualified vacancies. The traveler’s experience has also been renewed, with improvements to the mark of almost 130 million recently registered passengers, such as the construction of new boarding bridges and larger, more modern terminals.

Inclusion

Another axis of Minister Silvio Costa Filho’s management at the Ministry of Ports and Airports was the commitment to social inclusion and the humanization of services, transforming terminals into more welcoming and safe spaces for all citizens.

Among the initiatives, the Assistance Program for Passengers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) implemented 22 multisensory rooms at airports, exceeding targets and offering a differentiated environment for neurodivergent passengers. The ground and onboard teams were trained to guarantee a more humanized service, consolidating the vision that air transport is an essential service that must be prepared to receive the diversity of the Brazilian population.

The Ministry also intensified actions to protect and respect women, with the campaigns “Harassment Doesn’t Take Off” and “Harassment Doesn’t Take Off, Feminicide Doesn’t Too”. These initiatives established clear prevention and reporting protocols against sexual harassment and gender-based violence, using the large circulation of terminals to raise awareness in society.

In addition, 74 full scholarships were offered for the Aeronautical Maintenance Mechanic course, aimed at low-income young people and women, which confirmed MPor’s commitment to professional training and the democratization of access to civil aviation careers.

The agenda also included animal welfare, with the launch of the Animal Air Transport Plan (PATA), which standardizes and increases safety in the transport of pets.

Connectivity

The strategic management of the Ministry of Ports and Airports extended to national connectivity. The modernization of Congonhas Airport, for example, consolidated it as one of the main hubs in Latin America. The internalization of growth was prioritized, bringing cutting-edge infrastructure to states such as Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and Pará, connecting productive areas to large markets and generating wealth far from the capitals.

Records in the port sector

The port sector under Costa Filho’s management also reached a moment of renewal and great advances. In 2025, total cargo movement reached 1.34 billion tons, an increase of 3.25% compared to the previous year. This capacity gain was essential to meet the increase in demand for commodities, with emphasis on oil (+74%), soybeans (+73.9%) and beef (+70.5%) in exports.

Brazilian ports were protagonists in the country achieving, for the third consecutive year, a trade surplus, with trade reaching US$629 billion in 2025 and a surplus of US$68.2 billion, the third largest in history.

“The numbers show that Brazil is experiencing a new context in terms of logistics. It is no coincidence that the three biggest surpluses in our history occurred in the last three years. This proves that port infrastructure has become a means of competitiveness”, highlighted the minister.

Naval industry

Silvio Costa Filho’s management was also notable for strengthening the shipping industry. The Merchant Marine Fund (FMM) was a key piece, with R$7.2 billion contracted in 2025 for 151 works, and a forecast of R$34 billion in new approvals for 2026.

The concessions and auctions policy also impacted the sector. In 2025, the Ministry held 21 auctions for port and aviation projects, with investments of R$11 billion. For 2026, 40 auctions are planned, including 18 ports, 21 airports and 1 waterway, with expectations of more than US$10 billion in private investments.

Legacy

The legacy left by Minister Silvio Costa Filho at the Ministry of Ports and Airports is one of growth, modernization and generation of opportunities. The records achieved in the port and airport sectors, the attraction of investments, the creation of jobs and the promotion of strategic industries confirm that the commitment of President Lula’s government to sustainable development and Brazil’s competitiveness on the world stage has been put into practice.

Special Social Communication Advisory
Ministry of Ports and Airports