Authorities inaugurate Valongo Park in Santos, with an eye towards transferring of the Passenger Terminal

Public authorities inaugurated the first phase of Valongo Park on Friday morning (5th), in the Historic Center of Santos, aiming at the transfer of the Giusfredo Santini Maritime Passenger Terminal, managed by Concais. The memorandum of understanding was signed during the ceremony held within the newly restored Warehouse 4. The park was also opened to the public, who could enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel "A Gigante de Santos", appreciate good music on the stage set up in the event space or admire the view of Santos Port from the new pier.

The ceremony was opened by the president of the Santos Port Authority (APS), Anderson Pomini. "It's a historic day for the city, for Santos Port and for the country. This day effectively integrates citizens with port infrastructure".

Attending the ceremony were the minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, the vice-president and minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (Mdic), Geraldo Alckmin, the minister of Entrepreneurship, Microenterprise and Small Business, Márcio França, the national secretary of Ports and Aquatic Transport, Alex Sandro de Ávila, the general director of the National Agency of Aquatic Transport, Eduardo Nery, the secretary of Tourism and Travel of the State Government of São Paulo, Roberto Lucena, federal deputy Paulo Alexandre Barbosa (PSDB), state deputies Caio França (PSB), Solange Freitas (União Brasil) and Paulo Corrêa Jr (PSD), as well as the mayors of Santos, Rogério Santos (Republicanos), Guarujá, Válter Suman (PSDB), and São Vicente, Kayo Amado (Podemos).

During a press conference, minister Silvio Costa Filho highlighted the urgency of completing projects such as the second phase of Valongo Park, delivering the first phase of the Metropolitan Civil Airport of Guarujá and transferring the Passenger Terminal-Concais to Valongo.

Regarding the second phase of Valongo Park, Costa Filho announced the commencement of works this morning, with a conclusion deadline of "12 months".

Regarding the airport, the minister mentioned investments around R\$ 45 million and that the "runway requalification will be delivered in December".

Regarding the cruise terminal, Costa Filho understands that the move to the central region of Santos is an "urgent need", but the decision depends on resolving several issues, including the direction of STS 10. "We have initiated a broad discussion with the Chief of Staff so that we can qualify this area", he said.

"From there, we will discuss the modeling, whether we advance on STS 10, strategic densifications of the area. We are still discussing this and there will be no harm to the passenger terminal, which has an estimated investment of R\$ 1.4 billion", he said.

Pomini stated that the feedback received in the public hearings regarding the Concais Terminal was favorable. "The Port Authority will submit a proposal for the Ministry of Ports, Antaq, the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) and other control agencies to comment on the calculations being made. Our proposal and the political decision of the Municipality and the Port Authority are to proceed with the transfer, as expressed in this document. Clearly, this depends on the approval of the Ministry of Ports, control agencies and especially technical bodies".