Brazil launches public consultation to expand Santos port area by over 150%

Minister of Ports and Airports Silvio Costa Filho announced this Monday (14th) the start of the public consultation for the Expansion Project of the Polygonal Area of the Organized Port of Santos, located on the coast of São Paulo. The initiative could expand the dock area from 7.8 million m² to over 20 million m².

According to Costa Filho, the measure may allow economic agents and municipalities in the Baixada Santista region to engage in “long-term planning.” The statement was made during the first edition of this year’s Porto & Mar event, organized by Grupo Tribuna in Santos.

The event, held at the City Council, was attended by authorities, including deputies and mayors.

Expansion of the Area

According to the Santos Port Authority (APS), the expansion project foresees an increase of up to 164% in the port area over the coming decades, incorporating territories in Cubatão, São Vicente, and Bertioga, in addition to Santos and Guarujá.

“The initiative aims to prepare the Port of Santos for growth in the coming decades, to accommodate the steadily increasing cargo movement and the overall development of Brazil,” said APS President Anderson Pomini in a press statement.

Pomini added that he expects the decree formalizing the new Polygonal Area of the Port of Santos to be published within this semester. “It’s an action that demonstrates this administration’s concern for the future of the Port of Santos and Brazil. We need to think big. The pace of the country’s economy demands courage and boldness,” he said.

Below is a record of long-haul cargo movement through the Port of Santos. The data is from DataLiner:

Long-Haul Cargo throughput from Santos Port | JAN 2022 – FEB 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

According to APS, the expansion proposal will also bring more investment, jobs, and competitiveness to Brazil. The deadline for submitting contributions is May 13.

Earlier, Silvio Costa Filho, along with Mayor Farid Madi (Podemos), inaugurated the first phase of construction at the Guarujá Metropolitan Civil Airport.

According to the Guarujá City Hall, the highlight is the new runway, which is 1,390 meters long and 45 meters wide—longer than the Santos Dumont Airport runway in Rio de Janeiro.

The minister and the mayor also officially launched the service order to start the construction of the second phase of the airport. According to the city, this involves implementing the passenger terminal, which is expected to be completed later this year.

“This has been a longstanding demand not only of Guarujá but of the entire Baixada Santista. Our airport will be a turning point for the region’s development. Combined with the upcoming Santos-Guarujá immersed tunnel and the retro port area, we will create very favorable conditions for Guarujá to achieve sustainable social development,” said Madi in a statement from the municipality.

Source: G1

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