New São Francisco River Waterway to Enable Movement of 5 Million Tonnes of Cargo

The Federal Government announced this Friday (13) the launch of the New São Francisco River Waterway. With 1,371 kilometers of navigable length—from Pirapora, Minas Gerais (MG), to Juazeiro, Bahia (BA), and Petrolina, Pernambuco (PE)—the waterway will allow cargo transport from the South-Central region to the Northeast of Brazil more economically and sustainably.

Projections indicate that, in the first year of resumed commercial navigation alone, cargo movement along the São Francisco River could reach 5 million tonnes. The project also includes integration with other transport modes, such as railroads and highways.

“This is a significant initiative for the development of the Northeast and will be strategic for the entire region. In June, we will sign the delegation agreement with the Bahia State Dock Company (Codeba) and begin technical studies in partnership with Infra SA,” explained the Minister of Ports and Airports, Silvio Costa Filho, during a ceremony in Petrolina, where he announced the decentralization of the waterway to Codeba.

“The New São Francisco Waterway represents another step forward for national logistics, connecting regions and promoting cleaner, more efficient, and competitive transport,” emphasized Dino Antunes, National Secretary of Waterways and Navigation at the Ministry of Ports and Airports (MPor). Among the projected cargo types are agricultural inputs, gypsum, gypstone, limestone, grains, beverages, minerals, and salt.

Regional Development

The New São Francisco Waterway is one of Brazil’s most significant logistics projects, enhancing cargo flow and regional development. The “Velho Chico” river originates in the Serra da Canastra, in the Cerrado of Minas Gerais, and flows northward toward the Northeast region. Along its course, it passes through the Federal District, Goiás, Bahia, Sergipe, Alagoas, and Pernambuco—affecting 505 municipalities and over 11.4 million people who, in some way, rely on this major Brazilian river.

To ensure successful implementation, the project has been divided into three phases:

• Phase 1 will focus on a 604-kilometer navigable stretch from Juazeiro and Petrolina, passing through Sobradinho (BA) and reaching Ibotirama (BA). Cargo will be trucked from this point to the Port of Aratu-Candeias in the Bay of All Saints (BA).
• Phase 2 will cover the section between Ibotirama and the municipalities of Bom Jesus da Lapa and Cariacá (BA), with 172 kilometers of navigable waterway. This section will connect via rail to the Ports of Ilhéus and Aratu-Candeias (BA).
• Phase 3 will extend the waterway by an additional 670 kilometers, linking Bom Jesus da Lapa and Cariacá to Pirapora.

Source: Informativo dos Portos

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