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The Return of the Railway Is Near! Entrepreneurs Pressure Vale to Build a Giant Railway, Ensuring More Infrastructure and Investments. The Government Demands Urgency, and the Project Could Transform the Region’s Logistics.
The construction of a large-scale railway in Espírito Santo, known as Ramal Anchieta, is becoming a true battle between entrepreneurs and the mining company Vale.
The project, which aims to connect Santa Leopoldina to Anchieta in the South of the State, has been advocated by key figures in the local economy and politics, who believe that the project is vital for the region’s growth and investment attraction.
What was once a commitment solely between Vale and the state government is now gaining the contours of a demand, with entrepreneurs pushing for the construction of the railway to become a contractual obligation.
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Ramal Anchieta as a Priority: A Landmark for the Local Economy
The initiative to transform the construction of Ramal Anchieta into a contractual obligation has gained momentum in recent months, with a growing movement among entrepreneurs and state authorities.
The Superintendent of Railroad Transport at the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT), Alessandro Baumgartner, revealed that the amendment to include the project in the renewal contract for the Vitória to Minas Railway (EFVM) and Carajás is already underway.
The renewal of these concessions is a strategic opportunity to include the project, which until now was merely a voluntary commitment between the mining company and the government of Espírito Santo.
The director of the Anchieta Business Association, José Carlos Lima, stated that the only way to accelerate the construction is to make the project a contractual requirement.
“It has to be a contractual commitment. The railway needs to be built as quickly as possible. It is an important investment for our municipality”, emphasized Lima, highlighting the urgency for a definitive solution for the project.
According to him, the construction of Ramal Anchieta represents a fundamental step towards improving infrastructure and, consequently, the region’s competitiveness on the national stage.
The Importance of the Railway for Industrial and Logistical Development
The construction of Ramal Anchieta is also seen as an opportunity to revitalize the South of the State, a region in need of infrastructure investments.
Business consultant and president of Guarapari em Ação, Durval Vieira de Freitas, highlighted that the railway, along with Porto Central, could transform the region into a strategic industrial hub.
“It (the region) is lacking infrastructure. This railway, together with Porto Central, will allow the region to attract industrial investments that bring development to the State”, he stated.
The impact of the railway is not limited to the industrial sector.
The mayor of Anchieta, Léo Portugal, also expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating that the construction will not only improve local logistics but also be an important step toward the creation of a passenger terminal, vital for the growth of tourism and commerce in the region.
The tax reform, according to the mayor, brings with it the challenge of increasing the tourist and commercial attractiveness of Anchieta, which could be facilitated by a more efficient transport system.
The Plea for a Firm Commitment: Entrepreneurs and Politicians United
In his speech, Fernando Otávio, president of the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association of Espírito Santo (ABIH-ES) and Secretary of Tourism of Guarapari, also joined the chorus of voices demanding that the construction of Ramal Anchieta become a contractual obligation.
“It is necessary to have a definition that investment will happen and when, as the delay stalls the development of the municipalities along the railway”, explained Otávio, stressing the positive impact the project would bring not only for Anchieta but for other cities along the route.
The state vice-governor, Ricardo Ferrado, was one of the most emphatic in calling on Vale.
He urged the mining company to unlock the investment in the railway, noting that all deadlines for the commitments made between the company and the state government had expired.
“The federal government, ANTT, and the Ministry of Transport need to hold Vale accountable”, stated Ferrado, highlighting the failure to fulfill promises made by the mining company.
Vale Remains Silent on the Future of the Project
So far, Vale has chosen not to comment publicly on the progress of the project and the pressures it is facing.
The mining company has maintained its position that studies for extending the Vitória to Minas Railway, which would connect Santa Leopoldina to Anchieta, have been ongoing since 2020.
However, so far, what is observed is that the project is still a result of a voluntary commitment by the company with the state government, with no defined deadline for its completion.
Voluntary Commitment Versus Pressures for Obligation: The Current Scenario
In July 2023, Vale and the state government announced a timeline for the construction of the railway, with a forecast for a trunk line of 80 kilometers and a connection with Porto de Ubu, as well as a 20-kilometer railway yard.
The project seemed to be at an advanced stage, but so far, the construction has not moved forward.
The delay has generated growing discontent among entrepreneurs and the state government, who consider the situation a missed opportunity for local economic growth.
Delays and Bureaucratic Hurdles in the Process
The vice-governor Ricardo Ferrado made harsh criticisms of Vale during a recent business event, highlighting that the environmental studies necessary for the project had been ready for six months but had not yet been filed with Ibama.
This delay is hindering the progress of the project and putting the region’s development at risk.
To expedite the process, Ferrado suggested transferring the approval authority for the studies from Ibama to the State Environmental Institute (Iema), in an effort to make the process more agile and less bureaucratic.
The Future of the Railway in Espírito Santo: A Strategic Issue
The Ramal Anchieta, if built, could represent a landmark for the development of Espírito Santo, especially in the South of the State.
The railway has the potential to improve regional logistics and infrastructure, as well as attract new industrial and tourist investments.
However, the lack of a firm commitment and delays in bureaucratic procedures could jeopardize these benefits.
Now, with pressure from entrepreneurs and the demands of the state government, the fate of Ramal Anchieta seems to be increasingly at the center of discussions about the region’s economic future.
With such an important project at stake, it is crucial that Vale and the authorities involved reach an agreement that allows for the construction of the railway without further delays.
Espírito Santo hopes that, finally, the Ramal Anchieta will move from paper to reality, benefiting not only the State but the entire country.
Como as rodovias, as ferrovias no Brasil só farão sentido, se elas forem nacionalmente integradas. Isso irá favorecer o transporte de cargas e o turismo ferroviário, que também é um transporte importante e seguro.
Reiteradamente, comento, o Brasil precisa urgentemente reconstruir e construir Estradas de Ferro, para TRENS de Passageiros e de Cargas, o Brasil está a meio Século, estagnado neste Modal, priorizado quase 100% pela maioria das nações, nós Mineiros, queremos visitar Praias, priorizamos, as Praias Capixabas, temos o TREM Vitória/Minas, um luxo, custo, segurança, conforto, pontualidade, se existir maís horários e redução do tempo de viagem, será um bum, imaginem, como a economia dos Municípios influenciados como irá melhorar, turismo, passageiros, praias em fins de semanas num bate e volta, Receitas para os municípios, gerações de Empregos… todo o Brasil precisa de TRENS, ONTEM, HOJE, amanhã está ficando tarde.