The public-private partnership (PPP) concession project for the operation, maintenance, and required investments in the waterway crossing system of the State of São Paulo is designed to stimulate social and economic development in the served regions, particularly impacting coastal communities. Improved connectivity and more efficient access to services and opportunities aim to boost tourism and local economies.
To highlight some of the areas that will benefit from improved public transport services, we have the Metropolitan Region of Santos, which includes the municipalities of Santos, Cubatão, Guarujá, Bertioga, São Vicente, Praia Grande, Mongaguá, Itanhaém, and Peruíbe. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), this region had a total population of 1,805,451 in 2022, and a combined gross domestic product (GDP) of R$ 94 billion, accounting for 2.9% of the state’s GDP (Seade, 2023).
In the municipality of Santos alone, the city’s job stock in December 2024 was 187,138, with most positions concentrated in the services sector (137,733), followed by commerce (31,370), industry (9,894), construction (7,921), and agriculture, livestock, and fishing (220). The data is from the General Register of Employed and Unemployed Persons (Caged).
Guarujá is known for its economic diversity, with the services sector representing 73.5% of the city’s GDP and employing 64.9% of its workforce. Industry accounts for 11%. The city is a major tourist and economic hub, contributing to the region’s socio-economic vitality.
The municipalities of São Sebastião and Ilhabela, located in the northern coastal region and also included in the new waterway system, are part of the São José dos Campos Administrative Region. This region’s GDP totals R$ 176.4 billion, which represents 5.5% of the state’s overall GDP (Seade, 2023).
The concession project, which includes operation, maintenance, preservation, implementation of civil works and systems, vessel acquisition, improvements, redevelopment, upgrades, modernization, and service expansion, is designed to boost local economic and social development by expanding access to job opportunities, improving regional connectivity, and strengthening tourism, said Edgard Benozatti, president of Companhia Paulista de Parcerias (CPP).
Qualified under the São Paulo State Partnership Program (PPI-SP), the concession includes the operation, maintenance, and management of 14 waterway lines, including eight coastal lines (operated by the State Department of Waterways in the northern, central, and southern coastal regions), three ferry routes managed by the Metropolitan Water and Energy Company, and three crossings on the Paraibuna Reservoir.
The 14 lines to be included in the concession 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, João Basso–Taquacetuba, Porto Paraitinga, Porto Varginha, and Porto Natividade da Serra.
The system currently serves around 11 million passengers and 10 million vehicles annually. The project foresees over R$ 1 billion in investments in new passenger terminals, acquisition of new vessels, new floating piers, and expansion of existing ones.
The public notice is expected to be published in the first half of 2025, with the auction and contract signing scheduled for the second half. It will be a single contract encompassing all waterway crossings in the state. The sponsored concession (PPP) model will have a duration of 20 years.
State Partnership Program (PPI-SP)
The PPI-SP is a State Government initiative aimed at expanding investment opportunities, employment, and socioeconomic, technological, environmental, and industrial development in São Paulo.
With a focus on the areas of highways, mobility, social development, and water/energy, the PPI-SP is delivering the largest and most comprehensive private investment program in São Paulo’s history—benefiting the population and driving regional economic growth. A total of 29 projects have already been qualified, representing a portfolio of more than R$ 494 billion.
Photo: Courtesy of the São Paulo State Government