Public Hearing Discusses Concession for Cargo Handling Area at Rio Grande Port Complex

A public hearing organized by the Secretariat for the Reconstruction of Rio Grande do Sul (Serg) was held at the Southern Integrated Center for Coastal and Oceanic Development at the Federal University of Rio Grande (Furg) to discuss the concession of a cargo handling area within the Rio Grande Port Complex. The meeting was presided over by Rafael Ramos, Undersecretary for Partnerships and Concessions at the Secretariat for Reconstruction.

Cristiano Klinger, president of Portos RS, highlighted that the state is advancing with the bidding process for the so-called “southern tip” area.

“This area lies outside the port’s official boundary, meaning that the state, in coordination with the federal government, is managing this process,” Klinger explained.

According to him, the site is designed for general cargo handling and storage, with a focus on pulp exports.

“The demand for pulp handling is growing significantly, especially after the announcement of a new mill investment in the state. Currently, Rio Grande Port’s infrastructure would be unable to accommodate a doubling of pulp volumes at the public quay,” he noted.

Klinger believes the proposed project is well-structured to meet demand while securing crucial investment.

“The concession fee from the bidding process will be allocated toward dredging and deepening the public quay, benefiting the entire port logistics chain and enhancing the state’s competitiveness,” he observed.

The concession will have a 25-year term, with the possibility of an extension. The minimum required investment stands at R$ 803 million, with an estimated concession fee of R$ 142 million. A future agreement between the Secretariat for Economic Development and Portos RS will oversee project compliance.

During the hearing, Ramos presented the project and reiterated the government’s commitment to fast-tracking its implementation. The initiative is being led by the Secretariat for Reconstruction in collaboration with Portos RS, while the Secretariat for Economic Development serves as the granting authority.

“Our goal is to structure a project that benefits both the state and the private sector. A public consultation is open until March 3, and interested parties can submit contributions via rsparcerias.gov.br,” Ramos emphasized.

The official bidding notice is expected to be published by May, with the auction scheduled for July 2024.

“This project will create jobs, generate income, and drive economic development,” Ramos added.

Existing Capacity Constraints and New Business Opportunities
The current pulp-handling area at the port is operating at full capacity, with seven warehouses.

“The new concession will create additional business opportunities and increase cargo throughput,” Ramos projected.

The 285,000-square-meter concession area includes existing structures, such as a gatehouse and warehouse.

“This site was previously under contract with Queiroz Galvão, but operations were halted in 2016, leaving it unused,” he confirmed.

The concessionaire will need to obtain federal authorization to operate. A viability study is currently under review by the State Court of Auditors, which has 90 days to issue its findings.

“The winning bidder will be required to handle at least 2 million tonnes of cargo per year to maintain the contract. If volumes exceed 4.3 million tonnes, an additional concession fee will apply, as outlined by Portos RS’ tariff structure,” Ramos detailed.

Infrastructure Investments and Social Commitments
The concession proceeds will be directed toward port infrastructure improvements, including dredging operations.

“This project is expected to create 232 direct jobs and 2,100 indirect jobs,” said Rocha, a representative from the Secretariat.

The agreement also mandates heritage restoration investments, with 2% of the total R$ 813 million investment earmarked for cultural preservation. Additionally, R$ 16 million will be allocated to social projects.

During the hearing, concerns were raised about job security for truck drivers and casual dockworkers.

“While we cannot include employment guarantees in the contract, the government will sign a commitment letter after the auction to address these concerns,” Ramos assured.

The bidding process is open to all companies, provided they handle at least 2 million tonnes of pulp annually.

“Beyond that threshold, general cargo operations will also be permitted,” Ramos clarified.

Unanswered questions from the hearing will be addressed by the technical team at Serg, with responses published online through the public-private partnership portal.

Source: Correio do Povo

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