Russian investors propose a train line between Arroio do Sal and Paraná, but the RS railway network faces critical challenges. Meanwhile, new ports are being built, raising questions about the future of transportation in the region.
A 1.549-kilometer railway project is at stake, connecting Arroio do Sal, on the North Coast of Rio Grande do Sul, to Terra Roxa, in western Paraná.
Presented by the company Doha Investimentos e Participações, from Porto Alegre, the proposal was analyzed again by the National Land Transportation Agency (ANTT) in September 2024, after a temporary suspension. The interruption, according to information, occurred due to the need to reassess the impacts of recent changes in legislation.
In July 2024, ANTT decided to give new impetus to the project and notified the company to send additional information. The Agency is currently awaiting this documentation to proceed with the authorization process.
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If approved, the line of train between Arroio do Sal and Terra Roxa will be managed by Doha Investimentos for a long period of 99 years.
Investors
The company highlights that it has Russian investors on its board, information that generates both interest and speculation. In addition to the railway project, Doha Investimentos is involved in the licensing process for the construction of a new port in Arroio do Sal, which has been underway since October 2020.
However, there are those who believe that the company may be more interested in defining the route of the railway than in actually implementing it. Industry sources suggest that the real objective would be to establish future negotiations, without any real intention of following through with the proposed schedule. To date, this speculation has not been officially confirmed by Doha Investments.
New port under construction
Meanwhile, the construction of a new port in Rio Grande do Sul is moving forward. The company DTA Engenharia is leading the project, having signed a contract with the federal government last week, which grants the company the right to implement the project. This occurs after the completion of the authorization process with the competent bodies.
RS railway network in crisis
At the same time, the railway network in Rio Grande do Sul is facing serious problems, aggravated by damage caused by recent floods.
Of the 1.700 kilometers of existing tracks in the state, approximately 800 kilometers require interventions, and recovery could take years.
It is estimated that the investments needed to repair the railway network will exceed R$3 billion.
With this slow recovery process, the state still faces logistical and rail transport challenges, while new projects, such as the line between Arroio do Sal and Terra Roxa, await progress in negotiations.
The Future of Transportation in the South
Whether it’s the construction of the new port or the potential train line, infrastructure in Southern Brazil is at a critical juncture. investors Russians, with their influence and resources, can bring a new horizon to the region, but it is necessary to closely monitor the unfolding of events.
What will this mean for the state's logistics and economy?
Do you believe that the railway project will actually be implemented or is it just a ploy for future negotiations?