Public call fails to attract new proposals to Brazil’s port project in Arroio do Sal

The public call for the construction of the so-called Porto Meridional in Arroio do Sul did not lure in any project submissions besides the one currently under analysis. The proposal to build a private terminal with a throughput capacity of 40 thousand tonnes per year was the reason why the National Agency for Waterway Transportation opened up the process at the end of July.

The purpose of this measure is to allow other market players who might be interested in the project to have the opportunity to submit their own proposals. Additionally, it’s also possible to submit objections to the construction.

In the case of the Porto Meridional project, Antaq provided a 30-day window for objections, which ended at the close of August. According to Senator Luiz Carlos Heinze, who is involved in efforts to bring the project to fruition, only representatives from the ports of Rio Grande and Imbituba submitted documents expressing their opposition.

“Both ports expressed opposition because they believe they will lose market share. It’s a matter of competition,” says Heinze, who participated in a meeting at Antaq on Monday (September 4) to address the issue.

For André Busnello, legal director of Porto Meridional Participações SA, the company responsible for the project, the stage of contesting the project, from a competition standpoint, was overcome back in March 2020 with the Declaration of Compatibility with the Guidelines of Port Sector Planning and Policies. This document was prepared by the National Secretariat of Ports and Waterway Transportation.

“The process is proceeding in accordance with the law, garnering some opposition from the Ports of Rio Grande and Imbituba, which we anticipated. The process will now proceed with the tender deadline having passed,” says Busnello.

The expressions of opposition will now undergo evaluation by Antaq, and the coordinator of the maritime and waterways area of the Mobi Caxias Infrastructure Chamber, Ruben Bisi, expects Antaq’s approval to be granted by the end of September. However, the conclusion of this stage does not mean that construction can begin. Environmental licensing is still required.

According to Heinze, about three weeks ago, Brazil’s top environmental institution Ibama authorized the start of studies during South America’s late winter period. This measure helps expedite the procedures since it is necessary to monitor the fauna and flora in all seasons of the year. After completion, the environmental agency will still need to analyze the studies for license issuance.

A meeting was also held around two weeks ago to present the project to representatives from the Public Ministry (Brazil’s equivalent of a Prosecutor’s Office), Porto Meridional, and governmental agencies.

New Road

In addition to constructing the port itself, new access roads must also be built to facilitate logistics, according to Heinze. The terminal will be located on the shores of Avenida Interpraias Norte, in the Rondinha beach area of Arroio do Sal.

The intention is to build a new road directly connecting the port to federal highway BR-101 in Três Cachoeiras. This route would require a bridge over Itapeva Lake. In the coming weeks, a meeting with road authorities, CCR Via Sul (the BR-101 concessionaire), and other public sector representatives is scheduled to begin the procedures.

“This is included in the port’s cost and will be undertaken by the private sector,” says Heinze.

The construction of the port is estimated to cost around R$6 billion. It is estimated that approximately R$50 million has already been invested in the project’s development by the responsible company. The terminal is expected to have the capacity to transport containerized cargo, bulk liquid and solid cargo, gas, and general cargo such as cellulose, wood, and livestock.

Source: Zero Hora

To read the original news report, visit: https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/pioneiro/economia/noticia/2023/09/chamamento-publico-nao-atrai-propostas-concorrentes-ao-projeto-do-porto-de-arroio-do-sal-clm7zdja6003r0136ni0rqy0m.html

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