The Government of São Paulo, through the Secretariat for Investment Partnerships (SPI), announces that, according to a notice published this Friday (19) in the Official State Gazette, the Acqua Vias SP consortium has been declared the winner of the Waterway Crossings Public-Private Partnership (PPP), following the completion of the qualification documentation review and with no administrative appeals filed. The consortium now proceeds to the approval and award stages, which precede the signing of the contract.
With this step, the bidding process is concluded, and the consortium moves forward with the final procedures for formalizing the contract, scheduled for early 2026. Acqua Vias SP is composed of the companies BK Consultoria e Serviços, Internacional Marítima, Rodonave Navegações, Zetta Infraestrutura e Participações and Innovia Soluções Inteligentes.
The 20-year PPP contract provides for the acquisition of more than 40 new vessels, most of which will be 100% electric. Investments also include the refurbishment and expansion of 20 terminals across the State of São Paulo, new maintenance facilities, operational control centers, automated tolling booths, and automation and safety systems.
“The most important aspect is the social impact this project will deliver to the population. We will triple transport capacity, eliminate a major bottleneck and directly benefit users with a better, more efficient and more comfortable service, with a lower environmental impact. It will also serve as a major driver of sustainable development for the regions served,” said Rafael Benini, Secretary for Investment Partnerships.
During the structuring phase, the Waterway Crossings PPP became the first project in Brazil to receive the international Blue Dot Network certification, granted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The seal recognized the project’s alignment with the highest standards of governance, environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
The modernization of the state system will allow a reduction of up to 18,000 tons of CO₂ per year, consolidating the project as one of the largest decarbonization programs for waterway transport in the country.
Next steps
With the award and approval of the result—officially confirming the winner and the regularity of the process—the procedures for signing the contract will begin, with execution expected in the first half of 2026. The operational transition phase will then commence.
During this period, the Secretariat for Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (Semil) will remain responsible for operations during the first three months, under a cooperative arrangement with the concessionaire, which will fully assume management starting in the seventh month.
The investment plan will be implemented gradually, including the construction of new vessels and the modernization of terminals. According to the contractual schedule, all crossings are expected to be operating at full capacity by the end of the seventh year, with works completed and the electric fleet fully operational.
The waterway routes included in the PPP are:
São Sebastião–Ilhabela;
Santos–Vicente de Carvalho;
Santos–Guarujá;
Bertioga–Guarujá;
Cananéia–Continente;
Cananéia–Ilha Comprida;
Cananéia–Ariri;
Iguape–Juréia;
Bororé–Grajaú;
Taquacetuba–Bororé and João Basso–Taquacetuba;
Porto Paraitinga;
Porto Varginha;
Porto Natividade da Serra.
Investment Partnerships Program (PPI-SP)
PPI-SP is a State Government initiative aimed at expanding opportunities for investment, employment and socioeconomic, technological, environmental and industrial development in São Paulo.
Focused on the areas of Highways, Mobility, Social Infrastructure and Water/Energy, PPI-SP is delivering the largest and most comprehensive private-investment program in the history of São Paulo, benefiting the state’s population and driving regional economic growth. In total, the program includes more than 30 qualified projects and an investment portfolio of over R$ 550 billion.