APS authorizes the creation of an escrow account to guarantee resources for the Santos-Guarujá tunnel

The Santos Port Authority (APS) formalized authorization for Banco do Brasil to create an escrow account exclusive to the Santos-Guarujá tunnel. The measure complies with the ruling of the Federal Audit Court (TCU) and guarantees the immediate linking of federal financial resources to the project. An escrow account, or escrow account, is a neutral and temporary bank account used to hold funds until all contractual conditions are met.

“This initiative aims to ensure transparency and correct governance of the amounts allocated to the construction of the dry connection. With the decision, the public contribution is duly protected for specific use in port infrastructure works”, stated the president of APS, Anderson Pomini.

The process of paying in resources complies with traceability and asset segregation guidelines required by the competent national control bodies. The financial governance structure was established to facilitate the federal contribution provided for under the sponsored tunnel concession.

According to the official document, the funds will remain linked to APS, but with operational unavailability for any various purposes. Such technical rigor reinforces the authority’s commitment to the supervision and success of this historic undertaking. “We are taking a decisive and safe step so that the Santos-Guarujá tunnel schedule is fulfilled with full public financial responsibility”, celebrated Pomini.

The president of APS highlighted that the segregated account is a fundamental mechanism to provide legal security to all partners involved. “The immediate authorization reflects our agility in meeting the TCU’s determinations and ensuring that the money is available”, he concluded. For the manager, this step eliminates uncertainties and consolidates the economic viability of the port project.

In addition to creating the account, APS requested that Banco do Brasil formally inform Artesp about the blocking of resources. This notification is essential for the disbursement flow provided for in the tunnel’s public-private partnership concession contract. The Port Authority reaffirms that all compliance parameters have been strictly followed since the initial agreement.

With the account active, the project advances to the next phases of technical execution with guaranteed financial support. The next step will be for the entities involved – the State of SP and the Union – to establish a joint accountability instrument, as determined by the TCU.