São Paulo signs 20‑year PPP to modernise water ferry network

The state government of São Paulo signed a 20‑year public‑private partnership concession with the consortium AcquaVias SP Travessias SPE S.A. for the region’s water‑ferry system. The agreement provides R$ 2.5 billion in investments to renew infrastructure, terminals and the fleet serving the coast, Greater São Paulo and the Vale do Paraíba.

The concession covers 14 ferry crossings that move about 11 million passengers and 10 million vehicles each year. The consortium—comprising BK Consultoria e Serviços, Internacional Marítima, Rodonave Navegações, Zetta Infraestrutura e Participações and Innovia Soluções Inteligentes—won the bid by offering a 12.60 % discount on the annual public payment of roughly R$ 413 million. The plan includes acquiring 45 new vessels, including electric, hybrid and low‑consumption models. Tariff rates and exemptions will remain unchanged, as the system continues to operate at a deficit and requires state compensation. The operation will be regulated by the State Transport Agency (Artesp) and was signed under Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.