Santos-Guarujá Tunnel Has Updated Bid Notice from São Paulo Government; Project Value Rises to R$ 6.8 Billion

The São Paulo State Government republished the bidding notice for the Santos–Guarujá Immersed Tunnel this Monday (9) in the Official State Gazette, with adjustments to the project and an updated value—from R$5.96 billion to R$6.8 billion. The auction will take place on September 5 at the B3 headquarters in São Paulo. The sponsored concession will last for 30 years and will include the construction, operation, and maintenance phases of the system.

The project is structured by the Secretariat of Partnerships and Investments (SPI) in partnership with the Ministry of Ports and Airports (Mpor).

The new version of the notice introduces technical and operational adjustments to the concession model, aiming to enhance its attractiveness to the private sector, ensure legal certainty throughout the process, and increase efficiency in contract execution. With a length of 1.5 km — 870 meters of which is under the estuary channel — the tunnel will be the first of its kind in Brazil, using the international immersed tunnel technique. The infrastructure will feature three lanes in each direction, one of which will be dedicated to a Light Rail Vehicle (LRV), as well as a dedicated gallery for pedestrians and cyclists.

“The Santos–Guarujá tunnel symbolizes the kind of project we want to deliver: structural, innovative, a partnership among public entities, and one that concretely improves people’s lives. We are bringing to life a project awaited for decades, with technical responsibility and commitment to the population,” said Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.

The submerged tunnel will not interfere with operations at the Port of Santos, the largest in Latin America. Below is a historical overview of cargo movement at the Port of Santos. The chart was created using DataLiner data:

Cargo Movement at the Port of Santos | Jan 2022 – Apr 2025 | TEUs

Source: DataLiner (click here to request a demo)

Improved Model

According to the state government, improvements to the notice are a direct result of feedback gathered during the international roadshow held by the São Paulo Government in Europe, which brought together global infrastructure operators. Adjustments include updating the contract base date to January 2025, revising key cost components—such as concrete, dredging, and diaphragm walls—and reassessing the average transportation distance, now set at 85 km. Traffic projections have also been updated based on modeling from the Water Crossings project.

The model now allows live bidding both on the public compensation and on the public contribution, encouraging greater competition and more advantageous proposals for the public sector. Envelope submission is scheduled for September 1 at 10 a.m., and proposals will be opened on the 5th at 4 p.m.

The draft contract has been revised to include provisions that enhance the financial balance and legal security of the concession. The contract also includes safeguards for the concessionaire, with mechanisms ensuring predictability and contractual protection.

Other changes include the creation of an Expropriation Account, adjustments to risk allocation criteria—particularly geological and interference risks—and the definition of temporary solutions for the Outeirinhos Quay and the railway yard in Guarujá, which will ensure the functioning of port and logistics infrastructure during construction.

High Demand

Currently, the connection between Santos and Guarujá is made by ferries and small boats, which transport over 21,000 vehicles, 7,700 cyclists, and 7,600 pedestrians per day. The new tunnel aims to enhance mobility, providing greater comfort, speed, and safety to the population. The project is expected to generate around 9,000 direct and indirect jobs.

A result of a partnership between the State Government, the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the São Paulo State Transport Agency (Artesp), the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq), and the Santos Port Authority (APS), the project is qualified under the State Investment Partnership Program (PPI-SP) and is part of the Federal Government’s New PAC program.

Model

The State Government also launched a notice to hire a company to build a scale model of the project to be used for presenting the project and promoting the State’s infrastructure. Interested parties must submit proposals starting Tuesday (10) until 9 a.m. on the 16th.

Source: A Tribuna

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