The development of Brazilian economy, especially after the reduction of inflation in the second period of 1990's, has developed the Brazilian foreign trade (MDIC, 2010). Nevertheless, its logistics are not efficient, and the institutional framework does not contribute to promote the investments and increasing the efficiency in the sector, the way to become Brazilian products more competitive. In this scenario, 95% (Antaq, 2010; MDIC, 2010) of Brazilian foreign trade is carried using waterways and through the ports. This has caused a big chaos specially due to the bottlenecks in the sector. Thus, Maritime Law and Regulatory Law of Transportation and Ports, as autonomous legal disciplines have achieved an important role. In order to contribute to the diffusion of both, this article aims to present some important aspects of these issues, as well the main themes of the book Direito Marítimo, Regulação e Desenvolvimento.
maritime law; regulation of transportation; ports; cabotage