Minister authorizes bidding for concession of the Port of Santos canal
The project was sent by the Ministry of Ports to Antaq, for consultations and public hearings
The Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, announced this Friday (4) the beginning of the bidding process for the concession of the access channel of the Port of Santos (SP). The opening of the process took place on Thursday (3), with the project having been sent by the ministry to the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) for consultations and a public hearing.
According to the Ministry of Ports (MPor), the concession has planned investments of R$6.45 billion and the auction should be held this year.
“This project will increase the efficiency and capacity of port operations, allowing access to even larger ships at the Port of Santos and a more sustainable operation,” stated Costa Filho.
The Santos Port canal concession project aims to guarantee a draft of 17 meters in the country's largest port. Photo: Disclosure/APS
According to MPor, the auction for the access channel to the Port of Santos should follow the model defined for the channel at the Port of Paranaguá, which has already had its project approved by the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) and which will have its auction held in August.
The Santos Port channel concession project foresees that the winning consortium will be responsible for the dredging services to deepen the largest port complex in the country, increasing the draft to 17 meters, in addition to being responsible for maintaining the depth.
“By dredging the canal, we will increase the port’s capacity to receive larger ships and increase cargo movement. The draft will be gradually increased from 15 meters deep to 17 meters,” said the National Secretary of Ports and Waterway Transport, Alex Ávila.
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