Bahia to manage São Francisco River waterway for 25 years

The Brazilian Ministry of Ports and Airports and the government of Bahia have reached an agreement to decentralize the administration and management of the São Francisco River waterway. Under the 25-year agreement, the Companhia de Docas do Estado da Bahia (Codeba) will assume responsibility for the planning, operation, maintenance, and conservation of the navigable route.

The project covers 1,371 kilometers of the river between Pirapora, Minas Gerais, and the Juazeiro, Bahia, and Petrolina, Pernambuco hub. It includes the management of the Sobradinho Lock and various small-scale public port facilities. The initiative aims to strengthen regional integration and improve commercial navigation safety for both cargo and passengers.

Key commodities expected to utilize the waterway include gypsum, cotton seed, soy, corn, animal feed, biofuels, and sugar. The revitalization of this commercial navigation is viewed as a strategic move to accelerate logistical integration between the Northeast and Southeast regions of Brazil, supporting an agricultural export multimodal corridor.