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The multimodal project at the port will meet the growing demand for fertilizers in the Arco Norte region
VLI and COPI celebrated the inauguration of the new logistics corridor for importing fertilizers at the Port of Itaqui, in São Luís (MA). With joint investments of around BRL 400 million, this multimodal project will meet the growing demand for fertilizers in the region of Arco Norte do Brasil, according to Portos e Navios. In this article, the details of the corridor at the Port of Itaqui, the operation involved in the project and the benefits for the agricultural sector will be discussed.
New fertilizer import corridor at the Port of Itaqui
The new fertilizer logistics corridor is the result of a partnership between VLI and COPI. The project, with investments of approximately R$ 400 million, has the capacity to handle up to 1,5 million tons of fertilizers per year. Operational tests were carried out at the end of 2022 and, in 2023, more than 100 thousand tons of inputs have already been transported through the port corridor. This initiative aims to meet the demand of producers located in states such as Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso, Goiás, Bahia, Piauí, Tocantins, Maranhão and the Federal District.
The inauguration of the new project for importing fertilizers at the Port of Itaqui represents an important milestone for the agricultural sector in the Arco Norte region. The partnership between VLI and COPI will allow the efficient transportation of fertilizer inputs to the producing areas and the flow of the crop to the port system in Maranhão. In addition, the creation of the industrial hub at the Palmeirante Integrator Terminal will boost the socioeconomic development of the region, promoting industrialization and attracting investments from various sectors.
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Project operation and investments
The operation of the new import corridor consists of the loading by COPI, in the Port of Itaqui, of VLI compositions. Then, the cargo goes by rail to the Palmeirante Integration Terminal (TIPA), in Tocantins. COPI designed and built a new structure at TIPA for receiving, storing and shipping fertilizers.
In addition, equipment such as locomotives and wagons were purchased to increase cargo handling capacity. These investments in the project add to the VLI fleet that is already in operation in the Central-North Corridor, connecting Maranhão and Tocantins.
Industrial hub and development in the port region
The inauguration of the logistics corridor for fertilizers at the Port of Itaqui marks the first step towards the creation of a large industrial center at the Terminal Integrador de Palmeirante. With an area of approx. 230 hectares, this terminal offers leasing opportunities for fertilizer importing companies, agricultural trading companies and other sectors interested in establishing and operating there.
Proximity to the railway operation and storage capacity are significant advantages for efficiency gains. The first major investment in this hub was announced by Mosaic Fertilizers, which will invest BRL 400 million in a mixing, storage and distribution unit at the VLI terminal. Other companies are also negotiating to operate in the TIPA project.
