On Tuesday (15), the Legislative Assembly of the State of São Paulo (Alesp) approved Bill 164/2025, authorizing the concession of the Waterway Crossing System, which includes ferries and vessels for transporting vehicles and passengers across five regions of the state. The initiative aims to modernize the service, ensuring greater efficiency, comfort, and safety for users.
The concession will allow for R$1 billion in investments over the duration of the contract, including the purchase of 48 new vessels, some of which will be electric to reduce carbon emissions and increase climate resilience. The modernization plan also includes upgrades to infrastructure and crossing terminals.
Qualified under the State Investment Partnership Program (PPI-SP), the concession will cover the operation, maintenance, and management of 14 waterway lines across various regions. These include eight in the São Paulo coastal area under the responsibility of the Crossings Coordination Office, three operated by the Metropolitan Water and Energy Company’s ferry system, and three others in the Paraibuna Reservoir.
The project includes strategic crossings such as Santos-Guarujá and São Sebastião-Ilhabela, as well as essential routes for isolated communities, like Cananéia-Ariri and Porto Natividade da Serra. Services are also planned for the São Paulo Metropolitan Region and the Paraibuna reservoir.
The sponsored concession model (PPP) will maintain the current fare policy, with no increase in fees or changes to existing fare exemptions. Currently, the system serves approximately 11 million passengers and 10 million vehicles annually. The public tender is expected to be published in the first half of 2025, with the auction and contract signing scheduled for the second half. The contract will last 20 years.