São Sebastião City Hall presents Home Port project to Port Authority

São Sebastião’s Director of Port Affairs, Commander Sérgio Ramos, and the Secretary of Works (SEO), Luis Eduardo de Araújo, presented the Home Port project on June 10th during the 21st Ordinary Meeting of the State Commission of Accident and Incident Prevention at the Santos and São Sebastião Port Complex (CEPAI).

Daniel Alves do Santos, coordinator of CEPAI, was invited to present on behalf of the National Waterborne Transport Agency (Antaq). The purpose of the presentation was to highlight the project’s goals of promoting tourism in São Sebastião and the State of São Paulo.

The Home Port is planned to be installed in Praia Grande, near the city’s downtown, featuring a pier with two berths, including one capable of accommodating Royal Caribbean International’s Icon of the Seas, the largest passenger ship in the world at 365 meters long.

Commander Ramos argued that the proposal gains traction every single day and the presentation captivated the participants. “They were impressed with how the proposal will benefit the port and tourism sectors in the state.”

Unlike the existing Tourist Terminal for cruise ships in Santos, the port in São Sebastião will not face competition from other types of vessels, such as long-haul ships. “Our proposal is for a dedicated space with a passenger terminal, parking, a food court, a museum, sports courts, and most importantly, access by airport or road,” explained Commander Ramos.

These facilities drew the attention of Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, who expressed interest in the initiative during the 7th Conexidades in São Sebastião. “We have already handed over the project to the State Secretary of Tourism, Roberto de Lucena, and now we will decide on the implementation method, whether through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) or a collaboration between the state and municipality,” anticipated Commander Ramos.

The mayor of São Sebastião, Felipe Augusto, emphasized that the project is well-designed to boost tourism. “We have hotels, restaurants, beaches, and a commercial sector ready to welcome cruise ship tourists. Our Home Port will be strategically located in Praia Grande, with all necessary infrastructure.”

Commander Ramos also highlighted the cost savings for shipowners during the summer season when ships tour around Brazil. Unlike an anchored stop, as in Ilhabela, the Home Port in São Sebastião offers a more economical option. This detail was underscored by Marco Ferraz, president of the Cruise Lines International Association (Clia).

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