Brazil’s Minister Confirms Transfer of Santos Cruise Terminal to Valongo Park

Silvio Costa Filho, Brazil’s Minister of Ports and Airports (MPor), confirmed last Friday (Nov. 8) that the Santos Cruise Terminal, Concais, will be relocated from the Outeirinhos pier to Valongo Park. The move aims to revitalize the historic center of Santos and provide greater comfort for tourists arriving on international cruise ships.

Costa Filho announced the 2023-2024 cruise season opening ceremony aboard the *Seaview* ship at the Brazilian Navy pier in Santos. He was joined by Beto Mendes (Operations Director) and Orlando Razões (Infrastructure Director) from the Port Authority of Santos (APS), along with Santos’ acting mayor Renata Bravo, Marcos Ferraz (President of the Cruise Lines International Association South America), Andrian Ursili (President of CLIA Brazil’s Board of Directors), and representatives from the São Paulo State Tourism Secretariat, among other officials.

“We are committed to transferring Concais to foster the tourism sector, which still has much room for growth in Brazil. France’s tourism contributes 20% to its GDP, Portugal 17%, while Brazil only reaches 7%. We need to improve these numbers; cruises are crucial in this mission. This season will certainly exceed one million visitors, and we thank the MSC family for believing in Brazil,” said Costa Filho, who accompanied Mariana Pescatori, Executive Secretary of MPor.

**Santos-Guarujá Tunnel and Infrastructure Investments**

Costa Filho also highlighted ongoing investments of R$12 billion in port infrastructure at Santos, including dredging, perimeter roads, and the Valongo Park project, all of which aim to improve the port-city relationship and create job opportunities.

The Minister announced that the Santos-Guarujá tunnel project will be sent to the Federal Court of Auditors (TCU) by December, paving the way for the Ministry, with technical support from APS, to begin the bidding process in the first half of 2025.

Beto Mendes, representing APS President Anderson Pomini (currently abroad), thanked the Minister and MSC for bringing 14 ships to Brazil, with more than 100 port calls expected, and expressed confidence in setting a new passenger record for the 2024-2025 season, surpassing one million cruise passengers.

**Suzano’s New Terminals**

Before the cruise season launch, Costa Filho attended the inauguration of Suzano’s Terminal 32 on the right bank of Santos Port and the second phase of another terminal operated with DPW on the left bank. Suzano, the world’s largest pulp producer, generates R$50 billion annually, with R$20 billion coming from exports through Santos to over 100 countries.

At the ceremony, attendees watched pulp bales removed from wagons using a remote-controlled crane system. Suzano exports 85% of its production, and the new investments will increase the company’s export capacity through Santos from 4.6 million to 6.6 million tons per year.

João Alberto de Abreu, Suzano’s CEO, emphasized that the new terminals are part of the company’s R$22.2 billion investment in a new factory in Ribas do Rio Pardo, Mato Grosso do Sul, which is already generating jobs across Brazil. Abreu thanked various stakeholders, including the President of APS, Anderson Pomini, and Mariana Pescatori, for their support of port projects.

“Congratulations, Minister, for practicing the good state policies we need. Suzano believes in Brazil, and its investments have helped achieve a positive trade balance of $60 billion,” said Abreu, whose company creates 600 jobs in Santos, as noted by acting mayor Renata Bravo.

**Minister’s Remarks on Infrastructure and Job Creation**

Minister Costa Filho emphasized the government’s role in supporting job creation and social justice through partnerships with the private sector. He highlighted the importance of the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program), which has allocated R$1.7 trillion for infrastructure, with 60% earmarked for projects that will stimulate investments and employment. “We’ve already signed R$1.3 trillion in contracts, opened 195 new markets for Brazilian products, and are working on tax reform and fiscal adjustment, which are crucial for Brazil’s future,” Costa Filho added.

Source: Gazeta Popular

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