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Project foresees billion-dollar investment and promises to reduce travel time between Santos and Campinas to 30 minutes
The Brazilian hyperloop, a project by Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT), aims to transform cargo logistics in the country with a transport system based on high-speed capsules. The goal is to connect the Port of Santos to São Paulo and Campinas, allowing the transport of containers at up to 595 km/h. According to HTT, the project is in the feasibility study phase and could be a game-changer for cargo movement in Brazil.
Currently, the Port of Santos, the largest in Latin America, faces logistical challenges due to the intense flow of trucks. There are about 15.000 vehicles per day, which causes traffic jams and increases travel time to São Paulo to up to two hours. With the Brazilian hyperloop, the expectation is that travel time will be reduced to just 30 minutes, making it a competitive alternative to road and air transport.
How does the Brazilian hyperloop work?
The Brazilian hyperloop system will use capsules inside partial vacuum tubes, reducing air resistance and allowing cargo to reach speeds of almost 600 km/h. According to New Atlas, the capsules will be designed to transport 40-foot containers, the equivalent of two TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), drastically reducing travel time and logistics costs.
In addition to its efficiency, the Brazilian hyperloop also stands out for its environmental impact. It is expected to reduce truck traffic by up to 4.000 vehicles per day, which would help reduce CO₂ emissions by around 906 tons per day by 2060.
Investments and economic viability
The first stretch of the Brazilian hyperloop will connect Santos to Campinas, with a length of 169 km and an estimated investment of US$ 9,6 billion. The projection is that this stretch will generate revenues of US$ 17,1 billion, making it financially viable for private investors and public bodies. The complete project foresees expansion to São José do Rio Preto, totaling 549 km in length and an additional investment to complete the network.
HTT estimates that the project will have an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 62,7% and a Net Present Value (NPV) of US$4,8 billion, if the government finances part of the infrastructure. The public-private partnership (PPP) model is being studied to enable the construction and operation of the system.
Impacts on transportation and economy
The Brazilian hyperloop would not only revolutionize port logistics but would also bring economic benefits. Experts indicate that reducing truck traffic would lower the operating costs of the Port of Santos, besides relieving pressure on the highways that connect the city to the interior of São Paulo. It is estimated that the system could generate savings of up to US$ 2 billion in indirect costs, including reducing accidents, air pollution and road wear.
According to HyperloopTT, the project is in the Technical, Economic and Environmental Feasibility Study (EVTEA) phase. After this stage, financing models will be defined and the necessary government approvals will be obtained to begin construction. The expectation is that, if approved, the system will begin construction in the second half of this decade, placing Brazil at the forefront of high-speed cargo transportation.
