Please be advised that the Santos Port Authority (APS) has issued a new regulation, NAP.SUMAS.OPR.025.2026, dated September 1st, 2026, establishing new procedures for the environmental control and management of ballast water for vessels operating within Santos Port limits.
The main operational points are as follows:
- Ballast Water Environmental Audit Report (RAA-BWM) will be required for vessels calling Santos Port.
- The audit must be performed by a company accredited by the APS, freely selected by the Shipowner or its Agent.
- The RAA-BWM must assess the vessel’s ballast water management and classify the environmental risk as Low, Moderate, High or Critical.
- The Shipowner or Ship Agent must upload the RAA-BWM to the Porto Sem Papel (PSP) system at least 24 hours prior to the vessel’s expected berthing.
- Failure to submit the report or to resolve pending documentation may prevent the release of the vessel’s authorization to dock in PSP, potentially affecting the berthing process.
- In cases classified as High or Critical Risk, the APS may initiate an investigation procedure and communicate the matter to the Maritime Authority, ANTAQ and ANVISA.
Important: The new regulation will come into force 30 days after publication. Until its effective date, ballast water compliance attestation services will continue to be performed under the previous NAP.SUMAS.OPR.023.2024.
We recommend that vessels planning calls at Santos be advised accordingly and that the required arrangements with an APS-accredited company be made in advance once the new procedure becomes effective.
Please find attached hereto Regulation NAP.SUMAS.OPR.025.2026 in its original version, issued in the Portuguese language.
