Brazil's AcquaVias Begins Operational Handover of 14 Ferry Routes in São Paulo State

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On November 9, Brazil's AcquaVias SP Travessias began participating in the auxiliary operation of 14 water ferry routes in São Paulo State, entering a three-month operational transition period. The concession project has a term of 20 years, with planned investments of R$2.5 billion to renew 45 ferry vessels, 41 of which will be electric, and to build or expand 20 terminals.

The operational handover is being implemented jointly by the São Paulo State Secretariat of Environment, Infrastructure and Logistics (SEMIL) and AcquaVias. During the transition period, the two parties will work together to ensure the normal operation of the 14 routes, while current fares and free boarding policies remain unchanged. New payment methods will also be gradually introduced, including the instant payment system Pix as well as credit and debit cards.

The concession area covers the coastal region of São Paulo State, the Billings Reservoir in the São Paulo metropolitan area, and the Paraibuna Reservoir in the Paraíba Valley, involving ferry routes such as São Sebastião–Ilhabela, Santos–Guarujá, and Bertioga–Guarujá. The entire network serves approximately 11 million passengers and transports about 10 million vehicles each year, undertaking local resident travel and cross-water vehicle transport tasks.

The R$2.5 billion investment plan includes 45 new vessels, 41 of which will use electric propulsion. Fleet renewal will be implemented in phases, with the first batch of new vessels expected to be delivered starting in the third year of the concession period. The project also includes the construction or expansion of 20 terminals, as well as the construction of an operational control center, vessel maintenance workshops, automated toll collection facilities, and electric vessel charging facilities. The contract requires all ferry routes to reach full operational capacity by the end of the seventh year of the concession period.

The new investment will also cover upgrades to terminal accessibility, communication connectivity, waiting environments, and safety facilities. The operational control center will be responsible for operational monitoring and dispatch management of the ferry system, while the maintenance workshops will provide facility support for routine maintenance of the renewed fleet.

The concession project was awarded to a consortium composed of BK Consultoria e Serviços, Internacional Marítima, Rodonave Navegações, Zetta Infraestrutura e Participações, and Innovia Soluções Inteligentes. The project contract was signed on May 18, 2026, and ARTESP, the São Paulo State transport regulatory agency, is responsible for contract regulation and oversight of operational services.