Santos passenger terminal try to prevent hindrances caused by new fertilizer terminal

Representatives of Concais, the company that manages the Giusfredo Santini Maritime Passenger Terminal in the Port of Santos, want to see the bidding project for STS53 temporarily suspended until the Federal Government completes the process of transferring the complex to the Valongo region.

Concais presented the suggestion on the afternoon of the 23rd during the public hearing promoted by the National Waterway Transportation Agency (Antaq) to discuss the new port venture aimed at the storage of solid mineral bulk, especially fertilizers and sulfates, in the region known as Outeirinhos.

The STS53 will occupy an area of 87,981 square meters consisting of two lots: one adjacent to the pier (occupied by the Bandeirantes company) and another in the back area (where Marimex is located). The lease will have a term of 25 years.

Participants at the event expressed concern that the start of operations of the STS53 would affect the cruise season, which would harm tourism.

However, Federal Government spokespeople emphasized the new terminal’s strategic importance for the economy. They stated that the objective is to explore the best alternative to enhance the activities of the Santos pier.

Consultant Fabrizio Pierdomenico, one of the representatives of Concais present at the hearing, explained that the company filed the project for moving the passenger terminal in Valongo at Santos Port Authority (SPA) and the National Secretariat of Ports and Waterway Transportation.

Also, on behalf of the company, the lawyer José Carlos Higa de Freitas pondered that it is necessary to clarify whether the activities conducted at STS53 would interfere with operations at the passenger terminal and vice-versa. He also thought it essential to assess the consequences for both parties if the transfer of areas is not approved.

The president of the Association of Tourism Professionals of Baixada Santista (APT), Eduardo Silveira, fears that the large inflow of fertilizers from the STS53 will harm the cruise sector and affect the generation of jobs.

According to the president of the Brazilian Association of Maritime Cruises (Clia Brasil), Marco Ferraz, the next cruising season will bring eight ships to the Port of Santos, where about 450,000 people are expected to embark and disembark. “Synchronization of actions is required to ensure that the industry is not affected,” he reiterated.

Antonio Fidalgo, the coordinator of Santos’ Secretariat of Port Affairs and Special Projects, also asserted that SPA should coordinate the STS53’s launch date with the transfer of the passenger terminal to Valongo.

Conciliation

The director of the Department of New Grants and Port Regulatory Policies at Antaq, Fábio Lavor Teixeira, explained that the idea of the Ministry of Infrastructure is not to exchange a passenger operation for a fertilizer operation but to maximize activities.

“I believe there is no need to halt the processes relating to the STS53 studies for us to continue this discussion since we have not yet posted the notice.”

SPA’s Director of Business Development and Regulation, Bruno Stupello, stated that it is possible to schedule the works on the STS53 in such a way that it will not impact the cruise season.

According to SPA president Fernando Biral, there is a concern about providing suitable tourism conditions, which spurred the suggestion to exchange Concais lands.

He reiterated that the new fertilizer terminal is essential for Santos to help Brazil meet the demand for solid mineral bulk. “STS53 is not just important for Santos. It is urgent for the flow of Brazilian agribusiness at competitive costs.”

Source: A Tribuna

To read the full original article, please go to: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/concais-quer-interrupcao-de-projeto-que-pode-atrapalhar-temporada-de-cruzeiros-no-porto-de-santos

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