The federal government has taken another step in defining the concession model for Tecon Santos 10 (STS10), considered Brazil's largest port project in history. The Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor) has established a Working Group (GT) responsible for preparing a joint technical statement on the project, a document that will serve as the basis for analysis by the National Waterway Transport Agency (ANTAQ).
The creation of the group was made official through a decree published in the Official Gazette of the Union and comes after ANTAQ requested that the federal government provide a unified position on the auction model, given discussions involving the participation rules for interested parties.
Document seeks to align government understanding
The group will be formed by representatives of the National Secretariat for Ports, linked to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, and the Special Secretariat of the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI), from the Civil House.
The mission will be to consolidate a single technical statement that reflects the government's understanding of the concession format, offering greater legal and regulatory certainty for the continuation of the bidding process.
ANTAQ's request was sent after the agency identified the need for clarifications on the guidelines forwarded by the Executive, particularly regarding the competitive model of the auction.
Debate over the auction model
Tecon Santos 10 has become one of the most debated projects in the Brazilian port sector due to disagreements over participation rules for shipowners and operators already operating at Santos Port.
In recent months, the government has begun advocating for a more open model, allowing the participation of companies already established at the port, provided they meet any divestment requirements should they win the bidding. The proposal differs from earlier models, which provided restrictions to prevent market concentration.
Strategic project for Santos Port
Tecon Santos 10 provides for estimated investments of approximately R$ 6.4 billion for the implementation of a new container terminal in the Saboó region at Santos Port.
With approximately 621 thousand square meters, four new berthing facilities, and capacity to significantly increase container handling, the project is considered fundamental to meet growing logistics demand in the coming decades.
According to the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the entry into operation of the new terminal could raise Brazil from 45th to 15th place in the global ranking of container handling, strengthening the competitiveness of Santos Port and Brazilian foreign trade.
Next steps
After completion of the group's work, the joint technical statement will be sent to ANTAQ, which will proceed with the regulatory analysis necessary for the publication of the bidding notice.
The government's expectation is that alignment between the Ministry of Ports and Airports, the Civil House, and the regulatory agency will help reduce uncertainties, increase legal certainty for the project, and ensure the advancement of one of the most important investments planned for Brazilian port infrastructure.
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