Authorities to hold meetings with investors on the Santos-Guarujá tunnel

Projeto prevê um túnel, instalado embaixo do mar, entre as cidades de Santos e Guarujá de cerca de 870 metros e profundidade de 21 metros (Reprodução)

The Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor), the Port Authority of Santos (APS), and the State Government will hold meetings on October 3 and 4 to conduct market sounding for the Santos-Guarujá immersed tunnel. The aim is to ensure the project's feasibility.

The meetings will take place at the Stock Exchange (B3) in São Paulo (Rua XV de Novembro, 275, 1st floor, room 3). Registration is open until September 27 via the link . More information can be obtained by emailing marketsounding@mpor.gov.br.

With the material provided, the private sector will be able to perform a preliminary analysis of the concession model and contribute technical elements that could enhance the effectiveness of the auction.

How it works Market sounding is a common practice in the financial sector used to consult investors on the feasibility of new issues or proposals. The participants include investors, financial institutions, and other interested parties.

The meetings will follow a one-on-one format, meaning private investors will meet separately with technical staff from MPor, APS, the São Paulo State Government, the Civil House, and the National Agency for Waterway Transport (Antaq). A confidentiality agreement will be signed to ensure the security and protection of exchanged information.

The studies on the concession for the Santos-Guarujá tunnel project have been revised following contributions received during public hearings held from April 17 to 19 this year. These contributions have been incorporated into the project’s preparatory documents. After these contributions, the concession model was adjusted compared to the original studies previously released.

The revised studies are available for consultation at the link .

The dry link The project involves constructing an underwater tunnel between the cities of Santos and Guarujá, approximately 870 meters long and 21 meters deep. This will be the first underwater tunnel model in Latin America.

The section will connect the Outeirinhos and Macuco areas in Santos to the Vicente de Carvalho district in Guarujá. In addition to vehicle traffic, the tunnel will feature a circulation area for cyclists and pedestrians, situated between the six lanes of traffic – three lanes in each direction, one of which will be adaptable for the Light Rail Vehicle (VLT).

The winning company will be responsible for the construction, operation, and maintenance of the tunnel, allowing for the passage of passenger vehicles, public transport, trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians.

Following the market sounding, the next step by the Federal Government will be the publication of the bidding notice and subsequently the public-private partnership (PPP) auction, with an estimated value of R\$ 6 billion. The auction is scheduled for July 2025. Currently, the project is in the environmental licensing phase.

What it is Market sounding is a common practice in the financial sector used to consult investors on the feasibility of new issues or proposals.

Participants in the process include investors, financial institutions, and other interested parties. In the meeting format, private investors will meet separately with technical staff from various government agencies.