However, Brazil's presidential chief of staff, Dilma Rousseff, recently confirmed that the government will change regulations governing private port terminals to make them more flexible. "We are interested in the participation of private companies in the sector and so we are working on a transparent regulatory framework," Mr Rousseff said.

Meanwhile, Brazil's Public Affairs Ministry is investigating the granting of concession areas in the Port of Santos that were awarded directly by the Port Authority, Codesp, without going through a public tender process.

This could result in criminal action similar to that undertaken in February against the ex-commercial director of the port.