ANTAQ Schedules Public Hearing on the Concession of the Santos Port Access Channel
Brazil's National Waterway Transportation Agency ("ANTAQ") has scheduled a public hearing to discuss the concession process for the access channel to the Organized Port of Santos, in the state of São Paulo. The session will be held at 2 p.m. on April 23, 2026 (Brasília time), virtually and broadcast live on ANTAQ's official YouTube channel. No prior registration is required to watch the hearing.
Stakeholders wishing to submit comments or contributions must register in advance via WhatsApp at +55 (61) 2029-6940 on April 22, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Video contributions will be made through the Microsoft Teams platform. Upon registration, each participant will receive a link to access the virtual meeting room. In the event of technical difficulties, contributions may be submitted directly via WhatsApp.
Key Aspects of the Concession Project
The project contemplates the partial transfer of activities currently performed by the Santos Port Authority ("APS") to a private concessionaire, which will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and modernization of the port's access infrastructure. The concession will have an initial term of 25 years, subject to successive extensions at the discretion of the granting authority, up to a maximum of 70 years.
Projected investments total approximately BRL 688 million. Among the concessionaire's key obligations are channel-deepening targets—with a projected depth of 16 meters within three years, and 17 meters within six years—as well as the performance of maintenance dredging and the modernization of navigational signage.
Draft versions of the bidding documents and the concession agreement, along with other project-related materials, are available on ANTAQ's electronic portal.
Next Steps
The public hearing represents a significant milestone in the concession process and an opportunity for companies and stakeholders in the port and infrastructure sectors to provide input on the proposed model. Interested parties are encouraged to review the draft bidding documents and concession agreement published by ANTAQ, and to consider whether to participate in the hearing or submit written comments.
The Ports & Maritime practice of Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown is available for further information.
