Santos-Guarujá Tunnel: Santos Port Navigation Channel to Undergo New Sediment Collection

The Port of Santos will undergo new seabed surveys as part of the Santos-Guarujá immersed tunnel project studies. According to the State Secretariat for Partnerships and Investments (SPI), the new sediment collection in the navigation channel—yet to be scheduled—must complement technical studies and is being planned as the process evolves. On March 3 and 5, sediment collection temporarily halted navigation in the Santos Port channel for ten hours.

The São Paulo State Maritime Navigation Agencies Union (Sindamar) stated that no disruptions were causing financial losses due to halted ships. Sindamar noted that the Santos Port Authority (APS) had been informed of the activity a month before.

The surveys halted navigation in the Santos Port channel from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the section between the Citrosuco terminal (warehouse 29) and the cruise terminal. However, the study did not affect ferry and barge crossings as usual.

The work is being conducted at 12 strategic points within the estuary—six on the Guarujá side and six on the Santos side. Four points near the cruise terminal, which are more sensitive, required a safety suspension in early March. The remaining eight points are analyzed throughout the month without requiring activity suspensions.

According to APS, the interruptions were planned during periods of lower ship traffic. Vessel entries and exits were strategically rescheduled. The Brazilian Navy oversaw the channel closure.

Analysis

Samples collected by the Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (Fipe), contracted by the state government, will be analyzed by São Paulo’s Environmental Company (Cetesb). Results, expected by early April, will determine how the dredged material is disposed of, following environmental licensing requirements.

Sediment Collection

The process involves collecting sediment from the navigation channel’s seabed to check for contamination. The absence of contaminants is crucial for obtaining the environmental license required to begin tunnel construction, as dredging and material disposal must adhere to strict environmental standards.

The studies aim to identify pollutants such as heavy metals or harmful chemical compounds. Analyzing the sediment’s quality is essential for dumping dredged material in the designated ocean disposal site.

Tunnel Project Details

The tunnel connecting Santos and Guarujá will be built through a public-private partnership (PPP), with an estimated BRL 6 billion investment shared between the federal and São Paulo state governments. The winning bidder will sign a 30-year contract for the tunnel’s construction, operation, and maintenance.

The tunnel will span 1.5 km and be 870 meters submerged. It will feature three lanes in each direction, one designated for a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. Additionally, the tunnel will accommodate pedestrian and bicycle crossings.

Construction will begin in 2026, benefiting over 21,000 motorists, 7,700 cyclists, and 7,600 pedestrians.

State Plans with APS

The SPI has announced that new interruptions in the Santos Port navigation channel are being planned in coordination with the Santos Port Authority (APS). The agency assures that all actions will be carried out to minimize disruptions to port operations.

No dates have been set for the upcoming surveys, but they remain necessary to complete technical studies.

Next Steps

According to SPI, the tunnel project’s bidding notice was published in the State Official Gazette on February 27, with the auction scheduled for August 1, 2025.

The immersed tunnel project, which is estimated to cost BRL 6 billion, will be executed through a PPP and is part of São Paulo’s Investment Partnership Program (PPI-SP). The selected company will be responsible for building, operating, and maintaining the tunnel, accommodating passenger vehicles, public transport, trucks, cyclists (via a bike lane), and pedestrians.

Source: A Tribuna

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