Brazil’s National Waterway Transportation Agency (ANTAQ) has introduced a substantial reorganisation of the regulatory framework governing inland navigation in Brazil, consolidating a number of existing rules into six new resolutions.ANTAQ Resolutions Nos. 136 to 141 were approved by the Agency’s Board of Directors on 13 August 2026 and published in the Federal Official Gazette on 19 August 2026. Together, they replace 11 previous regulations and form part of ANTAQ’s broader regulatory simplification programme under its 2025–2028 Regulatory Agenda.The new framework covers operating authorisations, vessel chartering, passenger and private transport, vessel registration and operational agreements between shipping companies.The resolutions will come into force on 13 February 2027, giving operators a transitional period in which to review their existing arrangements and compliance procedures.For companies involved in Brazil’s inland trades — particularly barge, convoy and cargo operations throughout the Amazon and Northern Arc — the changes merit careful consideration. Operating authorisations: greater flexibility for operatorsResolution No. 136 revises the criteria and procedures governing authorisations for inland navigation services on interstate and international routes and within federal waterway corridors.One of the more practical changes is the extension of the period within which an authorised company must commence operations, from 60 to 120 days.The Resolution also permits the same vessel to operate on different navigation routes, provided that the requirements applicable to each service are satisfied.For operators managing fleets across several inland trades, this may provide greater flexibility in the allocation and redeployment of vessels.The Resolution also revises procedural requirements for authorisation applications and communications with ANTAQ and updates the level of administrative fines applicable to infringements. Revised chartering proceduresResolu