Tunnel enters project implementation phase; construction to begin in 2027 as TSG takes over the concession

The Santos-Guarujá Tunnel will be 1.5 km long, including 870 meters beneath the water. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion expected in 2031 (Alexsander Ferraz/AT)

The Government of the State of São Paulo, through the State Secretariat for Investment Partnerships (SPI), has formalized the Initial Transfer Agreement for the immersed Santos-Guarujá Tunnel to TSG Concessionária. The document was signed on Tuesday (7) and entered into force the following day.

As a result, the company assumes responsibility for the activities and areas contractually established for the construction, operation, maintenance, and implementation of the investments required for the project, marking the official commencement of the concession.

TSG Concessionária is a Special Purpose Entity (SPE) established specifically to manage the project by the Portuguese company Mota-Engil, the winner of the public auction held in September last year, in accordance with the international sponsored concession agreement under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). The São Paulo State Transport Agency (Artesp) is responsible for monitoring and overseeing compliance with the contractual obligations.

When contacted, TSG Concessionária confirmed the details regarding the execution of the Initial Transfer Agreement and added that, "from this point onward, the concessionaire begins the mobilization phase established under the contract, proceeding with the implementation schedule for the Santos-Guarujá Tunnel."

The news team also sought further information, including when construction will begin, where the construction site will be located, and details regarding the hiring of workers. TSG Concessionária limited its response to stating that "the arrangements related to hiring the workers who will be engaged in the project will be conducted by the contractor responsible for carrying out the construction works" and that these activities form part of the next stages of the concession.

Schedule

According to SPI, the implementation schedule for the immersed Santos-Guarujá Tunnel indicates that this year will be dedicated to the preparation of the functional and detailed engineering designs, complementary studies, negotiations concerning the required land areas, and environmental licensing procedures.

Construction activities are scheduled to begin in 2027, including the establishment of construction sites, the construction of the dry dock (where the concrete tunnel elements will be manufactured), and preliminary dredging works.

The production of the tunnel's precast concrete elements is scheduled for 2028, followed by the immersion and assembly of the structures in the subsequent year.

Finishing works, installation of operational systems, and operational testing are scheduled for 2030, with the immersed tunnel expected to enter service in 2031.

Procedure

The contract between the Government of the State of São Paulo and the Portuguese group for the construction of the immersed Santos-Guarujá Tunnel was signed on the evening of January 28. Although the Initial Transfer Agreement was only formalized nearly six months later, SPI stated that there was no delay, explaining that the procedure followed the established schedule, as is customary for concession projects.

Challenge

The agreement signed earlier this year was challenged at the time by the Santos Port Authority (APS). The federal state-owned company was not included in the document and appealed to the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU).

In March, the Court suspended the release of funding from the Federal Government. The funds were released nearly two months later, in May, when the financial contributions from both public entities involved in the project — the Federal Government and the Government of the State of São Paulo — were formally deposited.

The estimated cost of the immersed Santos-Guarujá Tunnel is BRL 6.8 billion. Of this amount, BRL 5.2 billion will come from public funds, shared equally between the State Government and the Federal Government, with BRL 2.64 billion contributed by each. The remaining amount will be invested by the private concessionaire, Mota-Engil.