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Presidential Veto Interrupts Budget Amendment and Maintains Uncertainty About Maritime Connection Between Guarujá Airport, Santos Port, and the Future Valongo Terminal
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva vetoed, last week, a parliamentary amendment that would create a maritime connection between Guarujá Airport and Santos Port. With this decision, the federal government halted the integration plan between air transport and cruise operations while still in the budget phase.
The proposal was part of a package amounting to R$ 393 million in vetoed amendments by the Presidency of the Republic. Federal representative Rosana Valle introduced the initiative at the end of 2025, focusing directly on improving regional mobility in the Baixada Santista area.
The text of the amendment provided for the construction of docks and the operation of regular boats linking the Passenger Terminal of Santos, in Valongo, to the future Guarujá Airport, which is currently under construction. The project also considered the use of the future Valongo pier, included in the Valongo Park.
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Proposal Experienced Reduction Before Presidential Veto
The Chamber of Deputies initially approved the amendment with a value of R$ 20 million. During the analysis in the Federal Senate, lawmakers reduced the amount. When the proposal reached the President for sanction, the value was set at R$ 1 million, still insufficient to ensure execution.
According to Rosana Valle, the proposal aimed to speed up passenger transport using airplanes and cruise ships, especially during the cruise season, when tourist traffic significantly increases.
Currently, access between Santos and Guarujá occurs only via ferry crossings or the Cônego Domênico Rangoni Highway. These alternatives concentrate a large volume of vehicles and passengers, especially during peak demand periods.
Justification of the Veto Presented by the Government
In justifying the veto, President Lula stated that the amendment included budgetary programs with specific locations and recipients. The federal government assessed that this type of expense is solely the responsibility of the Executive Branch.
Based on this technical interpretation, the Presidency decided to block the proposal, aligning the veto with other amendments deemed incompatible with the budgetary rules in effect for 2026.
Positioning of the Ministry and Port Authorities
In a previous statement to g1, the Ministry of Ports and Airports reported that it has not received contact from the congresswoman regarding the maritime connection. The ministry emphasized, however, that it expects Guarujá Airport to be ready to receive commercial flights in 2026.
The Santos Port Authority stated that it is conducting negotiations for the transfer of Santos Cruise Terminal to Valongo, within a concept of valuing the historical center.
According to the APS, the maritime crossing between Santos and Guarujá still depends on regulatory adjustments to become feasible, as stated in the official note.
Valongo Park Project Maintains Integration Forecast
The City Hall of Santos reported that the Valongo Park Project already provides for the connection between the future passenger terminals in Valongo and the Metropolitan Guarujá Airport, in joint execution with the APS.
Thus, although the presidential veto in 2026 interrupted the budget amendment, the debate on the logistical, tourism, and port integration between Santos and Guarujá continues to be discussed among authorities and agencies involved.
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