Santana opens R$23 million river terminal to boost cargo transport

The city of Santana, in Brazil’s Amapá state, on Friday (Jan 30) officially opened a new river terminal, categorized as a Small Public Port Facility, or IP4 in Portuguese, marking a major upgrade in river transport infrastructure in the Amazon region. The project received about R$23 million in federal funding through National Department of Transport Infrastructure (DNIT) and is designed to organize the flow of passengers and goods between Amapá and neighboring Pará state.

The new terminal replaces makeshift boarding points and provides infrastructure that meets required safety and accessibility standards for regional navigation.

The facility includes 4,000 square meters of built area spread across two floors, housing ticket counters, administrative offices, snack bars and parking. One of the project’s key technical features is a floating pier designed to adapt to the Amazon River’s tidal variations, allowing up to five vessels to berth simultaneously without compromising operational safety.

The opening is already prompting private-sector interest in launching new routes. Local operators, such as Navegação Bom Jesus, plan to establish daily services between Santana and Belém by June. To meet expected demand, companies are finalizing the construction of larger vessels with capacity for around 1,200 passengers, along with significant cargo volumes, using the new infrastructure to reduce travel times and improve passenger comfort.

From a strategic standpoint, Santana’s IP4 strengthens river mobility in the Amazon by providing a dedicated space for traffic control and circulation. Beyond improving conditions for riverside communities and interstate travelers, the terminal is expected to support the local economy by facilitating small-scale cargo flows and encouraging regional tourism. Managed by Companhia Docas de Santana, the new terminal reinforces Santana’s role as a key node in northern Brazil’s inland waterway logistics network.

Source: Docas de Santana 

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