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Record railway movement in 2023 highlights sustainable progress and modernization of the sector in Brazil.
The movement of railway cargo reached its highest level in five years in 2023, with a total of 530,6 million useful tons transported by trains. This data was released in the report by the National Association of Rail Transporters (ANTF), highlighting a promising scenario for the sector.
O rail transport in Brazil it recorded significant growth of 5% in 2023, reaching its highest level since 2018.
This increase in activity railway It is a positive indication of the strengthening of the sector, which plays a fundamental role in the transport of commodities, industrial products and essential inputs for various production chains. Furthermore, the growth of rail transport contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as trains are a more sustainable option compared to road transport. Continue reading and find out more!
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Follow the increase in railway cargo volume
According to ANTF, this volume represents the third highest recorded in the historical series, behind only the record of 569,4 million useful tons in 2018 and 538,3 million in 2017. The report also highlights that, from 2006 to 2023, there was an increase 64% in the volume of cargo transported by railways in Brazil.
This increase in cargo movement railways It is also aligned with the Brazilian government's efforts to promote the modernization and expansion of the country's transportation infrastructure. Investments in railways have been prioritized as part of public policies aimed at economic development and regional integration.
When analyzing the data without considering iron ore loads, the performance stands out even more. Last year, the rail transport of general cargo, which includes agricultural products, fuels, containers and other goods, totaled 148,6 million useful tons. This was the highest volume recorded for this category since 2005, when 149,6 million useful tons were handled.
A Casa Civil attributes this growth to the recovery of the economy and the increase in partnerships with the private sector. The combination of public and private investments has enabled significant improvements in the network railway the country.
Among the main achievements highlighted by the government are the resumption of investments in the West-East Integration Railway (Fiol) 1 and the intensification of works on the Central-West Integration Railway (Fico). Furthermore, the new Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) foresees more than R$94 billion in public and private investments in the rail transport 2026 up.
Energy efficiency and resilience: advances in the railway sector
One of the most highlighted aspects in the report is the increase in energy efficiency that accompanies the growth in volumes transported by railways over the last two decades.
According to data presented by the association, between 2006 and 2023, there was an impressive 64% increase in the volume of railway cargo per year. railroad. At the same time, the amount of diesel used per thousand TKU (useful tonne-kilometers) reduced from 4,9 liters to 3,33 liters, representing a drop of 26%. Furthermore, the number of accidents registered a significant decrease.
Davi Barreto, executive director of ANTF, emphasized that the 2023 balance numbers reveal not only the recovery of the railway sector of cargo after the impacts of the pandemic, but also its potential for expansion and resilience.
“The strength of the transport of iron ore and agricultural bulk was once again evident, along with the fundamental role of the transport of sugar and pig iron in the movement of general cargo. This positive and consistent result, combined with the significant reduction in the number of accidents and increasing operational energy efficiency, strengthens our optimism regarding the performance of Brazilian railways in 2024”, stated the director.
Ultimately, as the railway freight transport reaches its highest level in years, opportunities are emerging to further boost this vital sector for the Brazilian economy. The expansion of the network railway, modernizing existing infrastructure and encouraging intermodality are measures that can increase the efficiency and competitiveness of cargo transport in Brazil, contributing to a more sustainable and balanced development of the country.
The government also highlights the improvement of contracts with electricity concessionaires railways and the development of incentive policies for the return of idle sections, aiming to increase the efficiency of the railway network in the coming years. Public-private partnerships will be essential to free up Budget resources for other important works, such as the Pernambuco section of Transnordestina and the continuation of Fiol 2, in Bahia.
Curiosity: Do you know what means of rail transport are?
- locomotive: pulls and supplies energy to the entire structure;
- shunting locomotive: pulls the trains to the yards railroad;
- passenger vehicles: train and subway;
- freight trains: stores products, according to the needs of freight management Services.
The Federal Government could transport many more agribusiness products if it authorized MRS to build the largest coffee export Jamal, connecting Porto Seco de Varginha, a project that would be built by MRS itself, to the city of Andrelândia where it would meet the Ferrovia do Steel, and in this same yard, there can also be a transshipment mondial with the VLi Railway, thus transporting all the production of coffee and other cereals, from the Cerrado of Minas Gerais and the South of Minas, with the Port of Sepetiba as a main export route.