Expanding the passenger and vehicle transport capacity of vessels is one of the key goals of the concession project for the State of São Paulo’s waterway crossing system. The current diesel-powered ferries will be replaced by 44 new vessels and four new sets of push-ferries, with conversion to electric propulsion in locations where operation and infrastructure permit. This replacement will enhance mobility efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
According to Edgard Benozatti, president of Companhia Paulista de Parcerias (CPP), the 48 new vessels are scheduled to enter service by the sixth year of the public-private partnership (PPP) contract. Private operation of the system is expected to begin in 2026.
“In the first year of the concession, we will already see an improvement in quality. The private partner will begin investing in operations while purchasing and replacing these vessels. We will see a quality leap with the transition to electric engines. We are talking about a potential reduction of 18,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year, considering only the coastal crossings,” said Benozatti.
The waterway crossing concession, qualified under the São Paulo State Partnership Program (PPI-SP), includes 14 crossings across five operating regions of the state:
- North Coast: São Sebastião–Ilhabela
- Central Coast: Santos–Vicente de Carvalho, Santos–Guarujá, Bertioga–Guarujá
- South Coast: Cananéia–Mainland, Cananéia–Ilha Comprida, Cananéia–Ariri, Iguape–Juréia
- São Paulo Metropolitan Region: Bororé–Grajaú, Taquacetuba–Bororé, João Basso–Taquacetuba
- Paraibuna: Porto Paraitinga, Porto Natividade da Serra, Porto Varginha
The system’s expansion and modernization will bring benefits beyond environmental sustainability. Improvements will include greater public transport service efficiency, such as increased comfort, reduced waiting times, more consistent departure schedules, and enhanced safety for users.
“All crossings will have new vessels and will be evaluated based on the same quality standards. We will require the concessionaire, through a performance indicator system, to deliver the same level of quality across all five operating regions,” Benozatti emphasized.
Specifications
Fleet standardization will be based on demand and the terrestrial infrastructure of each crossing: crossings with higher demand will receive larger vessels suited to their capacity, while those with lower demand will use smaller vessels with higher frequency, allowing for more trips.
Currently, the system serves 11 million passengers and 10 million vehicles annually. The project foresees investments of more than R$ 1 billion in new passenger terminals, new vessels, new floating docks, and expansion of existing ones.
Background
Public hearings for the concession were held on December 9 in Santos, December 11 in São Sebastião, and December 12 in a virtual format. More information can be found here.
The public notice is expected to be published in the first half of 2025, with the auction and contract signing in the second half of the year. A single contract will cover all crossings in the state. The concession will follow a sponsored PPP model with a 20-year term.
São Paulo State Partnership Program (PPI-SP)
PPI-SP is an initiative of the São Paulo State Government aimed at expanding investment opportunities, job creation, and socioeconomic, technological, environmental, and industrial development in the state.
With a focus on the sectors of Highways, Mobility, Social, and Water/Energy, PPI-SP is delivering the largest and most comprehensive private investment program in São Paulo’s history, benefiting the state’s population and driving regional economic growth. A total of 29 projects have already been qualified, with a portfolio exceeding R$ 494 billion.