New cruise terminal in Santos unfeasible, experts say

The feasibility of another maritime passenger terminal in Santos is being questioned by experts. The Collegiate Board of the National Waterborne Transport Agency (Antaq) authorized the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) to enter into an agreement with the company Transbrasa for the construction and operation of a Tourism Port Facility (IPTur), named the Santos Vivo Project, in Ponta da Praia, on the shores of Santos Bay.

The project would extend itself parallel to the port’s navigation channel, covering an area of 294,000 square meters. The private investment is estimated at R$1.24 billion. Antaq’s opinion indicates no impediment for the studies to continue but does not constitute a permit for construction.

Ivam Jardim, a Logistics and Transport Technologist and consultant at Agência Porto, underlined that operating multiple terminals in the same port or region is not viable in Brazil due to the number of passenger transit, boarding, and disembarking.

Jardim noted that Antaq’s general director Eduardo Nery and director Flávia Takafashi made two recommendations to MPor in their opinion. The first is for the department to evaluate the impact of the initiative on the implementation of planning guidelines for the Port of Santos. The second recommendation alerts the Ministry that no competition analysis was conducted prior to the authorization.

“These recommendations serve as a warning to the National Ports Secretariat, which must consider the competitive aspect of authorizing a new terminal in the Port of Santos. Moreover, if implemented, and assuming each terminal would share the moorings, relocating the area from Concais to Valongo would be completely unfeasible. This relocation is an important step to support the Santos City Council’s project to revitalize the region,” Jardim commented.

Port consultant and director of V2PA Engenharia e Consultoria, Marcos Vendramini, also questioned the feasibility of the project for other reasons. One major concern is the impact on the landscape. “It’s hard to believe that the residents of Ponta da Praia would approve the construction of a gigantic infrastructure that will block the view not only of Santos Bay but also of Fortaleza da Barra,” he said.

Vendramini also discussed technical aspects. “A cruise terminal must have the capacity to simultaneously receive an equivalent of more than 40 buses, accommodate the parking of over a thousand passenger vehicles and vans, and facilitate the boarding and disembarking of around 90 passenger cars, taxis, and ride-share vehicles. How will this access be managed through the streets of Ponta da Praia and the beach avenue? A cruise ship typically requires around 30 trailers with six to nine axles for good supplies. Will these 60 trucks be allowed to circulate along the beach avenue on Saturday mornings to access the terminal?” he listed.

Substantial Review Required

When contacted, the City of Santos indicated that the proposed location “is not covered by the macro zones that greenlight for such a project, requiring a substantial review or alternative location.” However, the Administration noted that “the current legal framework is not a future impediment to the implementation of the project in the municipality of Santos.”

The City Hall stated that municipal legislation is subject to revisions and changes in response to emerging needs and opportunities, “always aiming at the sustainable and integrated development of the city.” It concluded, “The rigorous presentation of documentation is essential for advancing the project analysis with the responsibility and care that the context demands.”

Bayard Freitas Umbuzeiro Filho, the CEO of Transbrasa and the driving force behind the project, stated that his intention is not to compete but to complement existing facilities. “The project has the potential to house a passenger station, but its scope is broader. It includes a tourism reception structure with a marina, cycle paths, buildings for hotel accommodations, shopping centers, and residential apartments for sale,” he detailed.

Umbuzeiro emphasized the need for expansion, highlighting the growth in the number of cruise tourists visiting the city. It is important to note, however, that the Giusfredo Santini Maritime Passenger Terminal, managed by Concais, could more than double in size if relocated from the Outeirinhos region to the area between Valongo and Saboó, also in Santos.

“The volume will be greater in five to six years. The number of cruise passengers will increase significantly. We won’t just need three berths; we’ll need five, six, or even eight,” argued Umbuzeiro.

Antaq’s Recommendations

In addition to the authorization, the Antaq board recommended that the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) evaluate the need for an impact study on the implementation of planning guidelines and policies in the same geographic region. “However, we reiterate that the proposed sea location for the installation is viable and has been approved by the Navy,” the board noted in a statement.

Source: A Tribuna

Click here to read the original news report: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/projeto-de-novo-terminal-de-cruzeiros-em-santos-e-inviavel-apontam-especialistas-1.425050

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