National Land Transportation Agency (ANTT) Approves Documentation for Extension of Southeast Railway Concession for MRS Logística Operations

Aiming to Ensure the Continuity of the Operation of the Southeast Network by MRS Logistics and Provide Higher Quality in the Region’s Railways, ANTT Approved the Documentation and Studies for the Extension of the Railway Concession Contract.

During this past Wednesday (07/27), the National Land Transportation Agency (ANTT) approved, in the 74th Extraordinary Meeting of the Board, the technical studies and the necessary documentation for the early extension of the railway concession of the Southeast Network to MRS Logistics. Thus, the agency intends to ensure the operation by the company for the next 30 years to continue providing quality logistics services for transportation in the Southeast region.

Railway Concession Contract of the Southeast Network with MRS Logistics Will Be Extended for Another 30 Years Following the Approval of the Documentation by ANTT

ANTT held its 74th Extraordinary Meeting of the Board this week and approved a series of technical studies and necessary documentation for the early extension of several public contracts, including the railway concession contract for the Southeast Network to MRS Logistics. Now, the agency intends to hold a new ceremony for the signing of the early extension of the contract as soon as next Friday, aiming to expedite the process and finalize it as soon as possible. 

MRS Logistics has been responsible for the operation of the Southeast Network since 1996, and the railway concession contract has a term of 30 years. However, ANTT intends to anticipate the renewal of the agreement, which was supposed to occur only at the end of the term in 2026.

The entire operation of the Southeast Network includes services performed over the main railway infrastructure of Brazil’s Southeast region, the country’s most populous area and of maximized relevance to the national economy, ensuring a high-quality and safe flow of production in the region. 

Thus, the logistics company operates over 1,643 km of extension, passing through the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo, with operations at the ports of Santos, Itaguaí, Sudeste, Guaíba, and Rio de Janeiro.

MRS Logistics then utilizes more than 800 locomotives and 18,000 wagons, representing 16% of the national railway fleet, to ensure the operational services of the Southeast Network with ANTT oversight since 1996. 

Early Extension of the Railway Concession Contract of the Southeast Network to the Company Will Benefit Cargo Flow in the Region 

The operation of MRS Logistics on the Southeast Network ensures an excellent productive flow in the region, with approximately 30% of all Brazilian rail cargo passing through the tracks operated by the company, according to ANTT. Thus, ensuring the continuity of the railway concession contract for the next 30 years provides even greater security in these activities and maintains a high-quality service that has been offered for decades. 

Additionally, ANTT states that the early extension of the contract will also allow for cargo diversification, increased safety, and improved urban mobility, with a total investment of R$ 9.7 billion (Capex) in the training of the railway network, acquisition of assets, and public interest projects. Furthermore, an additional R$ 21 billion will be allocated throughout the entire railway concession contract for the operation of the Southeast Brazilian tracks. 

Learn More About MRS Logistics

MRS Logistics is a railway operating company established alongside ANTT in 1996, operating in the Southeast region of the country and connecting regions that produce mineral and agricultural commodities as well as some of the country’s main industrial parks to the largest ports in the Southeast region, ensuring higher quality in the productive flow of the area.