The Acqua Vias SP Consortium, formed by BK Consultoria & Serviços, Internacional Marítima, Rodonave Navegações, Zetta Infraestrutura & Participações, and Innovia Soluções Inteligentes, won the PPP concession auction for São Paulo’s state Water Crossings System, offering a 12.63% discount on the reference bid value.
With an estimated R$2.5 billion (US$469 million) in investments, the PPP is part of the São Paulo State Investment Partnerships Program (PPI-SP) and will modernize and expand 14 ferry lines along the São Paulo coast, in the metropolitan region, and in the Paraíba Valley. The system serves 11 million passengers and 10 million vehicles annually. The 20-year contract foresees the acquisition of more than 40 new vessels, most of them fully electric. The investment will also cover upgrades and expansions of 20 terminals, new maintenance facilities, operational control centers, automated payment booths, and advanced automation and safety systems.
The contract is expected to be signed in the first half of 2026, once the preceding stages are completed. Shortly after, the operational transition will begin. During the initial three months of this transition, Semil will remain in charge of day-to-day operations, working jointly with the concessionaire, which will take over entirely by the seventh month. The investment program will roll out in stages, including the construction of new vessels and the upgrading of terminals. Under the contract timeline, all routes should be running at full capacity by the end of year seven, with all infrastructure works finalized and the electric fleet fully deployed.
Ferry routes included in the PPP:
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