Bidding for truck yard in Baixada Santista sparks controversy

Land in Tatu Island, near the junction of Anchieta and Imigrantes highways, could host the yard (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

The bidding for the construction of a logistics condo, featuring a truck yard, in Tatu Island next to Mario Covas Viaduct in Cubatão, continues to stir controversy. Following opposition from mayor Ademário Oliveira (PSDB) and the City Council, representatives from nearby neighborhoods are now raising concerns. These areas would be impacted as residents use the Anchieta and Imigrantes highway junction daily.

In a statement, the Improvement Society of Jardim Casqueiro has long advocated for public truck yards for the city's truck drivers and opposes to the use of the area for this purpose, arguing that the proposal does not aim to solve the underlying problem.

"The Port Authority cannot treat Cubatão as an extension of the Port of Santos. It is necessary to respect the characteristics, history and position of the city's residents. How can a municipality proud of its global example in environmental recovery accept the destruction of 530,000 m² of green area and mangroves, equivalent to 64 soccer fields, to secure profits for a few companies?", it states.

The entity emphasizes that sustainability and quality of life should not be sacrificed in the name of jobs. "We will not accept further harm to a densely populated region already suffering from logistical bottlenecks at the port. In our view, trees in this city should only be cut down to build housing that offers dignified living conditions for Cubatão residents", it asserts.

Márcia Guerra de Almeida, president of the União da Ilha Caraguatá Improvement Association, believes that the initiative will not benefit neighborhood residents. "We are also awaiting a response from the Port Authority, which promised answers to the questions raised during the meeting on the 21st", she reveals, while acknowledging the importance of truck parking.

The report also sought representatives from Parque São Luís and Vila dos Pescadores neighborhoods, highlighted by mayor Ademário Oliveira for issues related to the project, but they did not respond by the article's deadline.

Long-standing conflict

Anderson Pomini, president of the Santos Port Authority (APS), explained in an interview to A Tribuna published on May 24th that the new parking facility would resolve a longstanding conflict between drivers and Santos residents caused by trucks parked in residential areas.

"The market will have access to 530,000 m², with 100,000 m² earmarked for a port parking facility. This is a requirement in exchange for creating 800 truck parking spaces, with adequate facilities for drivers including leisure areas, hygiene and bathing facilities, as well as religious and psychological support", Pomini explains. "It's absurd that the Port lacks a suitable yard for the 15,000 trucks arriving at the Right Bank every day", he concludes.

Learn more

The Port Authority will auction the area for the construction of a logistics condo featuring a truck yard in Tatu Island in Cubatão on July 10th at 9:00 AM. The investment is estimated at over R\$ 3 billion.

This involves the onerous lease of a 530,000 m² federal area, with a 100,000 m² counterpart designated for the construction of a truck sorting yard, logistics condo and ancillary activities, providing 800 parking spaces. The land is within the poligonal of the Organized Port of Santos, near the junction of the Anchieta and Imigrantes highways.

The lease will be under a public-private partnership (PPP), with a contract duration of 35 years. Brazilian or foreign legal entities, supplementary pension entities and investment funds can participate individually or in consortiums.