An attempt to overturn a decision to annul legislation introduced by Santos municipality to prevent the storage of grain at Ponta da Praia in the port of Santos has been rejected by the Federal Supreme Court. The advocate general defended the injunction, pointing out that the earlier ruling would undermine reform of the terminal. The original legislation dates back to July 2011 and established rules for the installation and marketing of dry bulk traffic at ports. However, this runs contrary to central government control of this area, while an argument put forward by the municipality that lifting the injunction could result in environmental damage or health to the population was also rejected, since dry bulk has been handled in the port for over 40 years.

In particular, the central government was keen to see dry bulk handled in the port given that it amounts to nearly 22 million tonnes; equivalent to 35% of Brazil's total dry bulk exports. 

BC