Minister highlights expansion of Santos Port to increase capacity

The expansion of the Poligonal of the Organized Port of Santos, which would annex 420,000 square meters of Vila dos Criadores in Santos to the port area, is likely to be materialized, according to the minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho. It is a "very important asset", he says, for increasing the capacity of the Port.

In an exclusive interview for A Tribuna , the minister confirmed that the location, currently home to a community of 5,000 families, next to the companies in Alemoa, on the border with Cubatão, is essential for port expansion. Costa Filho recalled that he has already requested a study from the Santos Port Authority (APS) about the subject.

"The expansion of the Poligonal is very beneficial for the Port of Santos. Above all, we must look at Vila dos Criadores. We have already recommended to president Anderson Pomini a study to be conducted on maneuverability, to have a clearer diagnosis. (Vila dos Criadores) is the future of the Port, as well as the Continental Area of São Vicente and Bagres. These are the three assets that the Port has as an expansion plan", he says.

Vila dos Criadores represents the last available area on the so-called Right Bank, which allows the installation of a container terminal. The area could accommodate a new version of STS10, initially planned for Saboó. The minister advocates dialogue on the subject.

"We are working to resume discussions about STS10 with the Federal Government and the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU). It is important that we increasingly enhance competitiveness. I envision a revamped STS10, but built with the entire society and the productive sector".

Trucks

Asked about the controversy surrounding the construction of a truck yard in Cubatão, at the interchange of the Imigrantes and Anchieta highways, next to the Mario Covas Viaduct, minister Silvio Costa Filho emphasized the need for this space. However, the City Hall and councilors oppose this initiative by APS.

Dredging

"We are going to implement the dredging PPP so that, regardless of the ruling government or the president of the Port Authority, we can progress with the dredging, in order to increase the draft (at the Port of Santos) from 14 to 17 meters and enhance our competitiveness against larger vessels in the international market", the minister points out. However, he emphasizes that this does not divert attention from other port centers. According to him, there will be 35 terminal auctions in the next three years, focusing on bulk goods.

"We are structuring the Port of Santos, but we must also consider other ports in Brazil. We have a portfolio of private investments in the PAC (Growth Acceleration Program) of nearly R\$ 60 billions. Not only in Santos, but also in the ports of Suape (PE), Itaqui (MA), Pecém (CE). We have an eye on the Northern Arc. It will be an important instrument for Brazil's development", he describes.

The minister debunked the notion that the Federal Government is disregarding partnerships with the private sector. "That's not true. Out of the R\$ 1.7 trillion from the PAC, over R\$ 800 billions are from the private sector. Most of the PAC is private. Whoever is betting that Brazil will fail will fail".