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With Floating Accommodation and Fast-Tracked Construction, Belém Prepares to Host COP30 and Transform Its Infrastructure for the Future
With the expectation of receiving around 50,000 visitors, the accommodation deficit in Belém has once again raised concerns for the federal government just 200 days before the opening of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30). To address the challenge, measures were announced at a press conference held this Thursday, the 24th, at Parque da Cidade, one of the venues for the discussions.
Docked Ships as an Emergency Solution
The extraordinary secretary for COP30, Valter Correia, stated that accommodation is the most sensitive point of the organization. To increase capacity, a contract was signed between the Civil House and Embratur, aiming to offer at least 6,000 beds on docked ships at Porto de Outeiro.
The total investment for the operation will be R$ 263 million. Of this amount, R$ 30 million will be funded by the federal government to guarantee 600 spots reserved for UN teams. The remaining spots will be sold by the contracted operating company.
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Styrofoam block cut with hot wire turned into a real boat with three layers of fiberglass and polyester resin, floats without rotting or rusting, carries up to five people, and uses a professional shipyard sandwich technique for less than R$ 500 per square meter.
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With a capacity for 9,100 vehicles, solar panels on deck, and liquefied natural gas engines, the Höegh Aurora is the world’s largest car carrier, and the ship that can embark an entire city’s worth of cars in a single voyage will transition to zero-carbon ammonia by 2027, becoming the first large cargo ship in history to completely abandon fossil fuels.
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Portonave is investing R$ 2 billion to modernize the Port of Navegantes and accommodate ships up to 400 meters, but the project depends on the federal government deepening the channel from 14 to 17 meters, a concession that is at the TCU.
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With 195 meters and 19,235 gross tons, the REV Ocean will be the world’s largest yacht when it is delivered at the end of 2026, and this Norwegian vessel, which took more than eight years to build, is not just a billionaire’s luxury, but a floating scientific laboratory funded by the same man who built his fortune by fishing and drilling the ocean he now tries to save.
The initiative also includes 500 spots for developing countries, financed by the Trust Fund of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change or by the delegations themselves. Embratur will receive R$ 3.7 million for modeling, contracting, supervising, and managing the operation.
International Experience Inspires Model
Valter Correia emphasized that the solution follows examples from other major international conferences. “This measure complements the joint effort to expand the hotel network with the support of real estate agencies, accommodation platforms, and agreements with the state government,” he explained.
He cautioned, however, about the need for price balance. “We are managing to increase the supply of beds, but now we need to organize the prices. There was initial excitement, which is natural, but the sector is starting to understand that Belém’s image in future tourism is at stake,” he stated.
According to Correia, COP30 will be an international showcase for the city. “It’s not just about the 15 days of the event. It’s about what Belém can become afterward. A sustainable, safe, and structured destination to welcome the world,” he added.
Infrastructure at a Fast Pace
Porto de Outeiro, where the ships will be docked, is undergoing expansion and revitalization. The vice governor of Pará, Hana Ghassan, reported that the bridge connecting the island to the mainland is already 70% completed. This connection will be essential for the transport between the port and Parque da Cidade.
Hana Ghassan stated that the journey between Porto de Outeiro and the event center should take between 20 and 25 minutes. “Floating accommodation has been successfully used in other conferences. In Belém, it is part of a set of strategies to ensure a well-organized and welcoming COP,” she highlighted.
Parque da Cidade Will Be the Center of COP30
Parque da Cidade, with a total area of 500,000 m², already has about 230,000 m² under construction, equivalent to 78% of the planned execution. According to the vice governor, the space was well-received in technical visits by the UN.
In addition to Parque da Cidade, projects like Porto Futuro, with 83% execution, and the Linear Park of Doca, with 74%, are also nearing completion and should be finished in time for the conference.
Legacy for the City
Hana Ghassan emphasized that the focus goes beyond the event. “We want to transform the city and the lives of its citizens. These projects leave a legacy in mobility, infrastructure, tourism, and sustainability,” she stated.
With 200 days remaining, the pace of construction will be intensified. “We are expanding the teams and relying on specialized consultancies to ensure an inclusive, accessible, and historic COP for Belém,” the vice governor concluded.
With information from Agência Cenarium.
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