VLI, bp renew partnership for multimodal sugar operations

VLI has renewed its contract with bp and its bioenergy unit in Brazil, bp bioenergy, which operates in ethanol and sugar production. The new long-term agreement was signed on April 15 in São Paulo during Intermodal South America 2026 and provides for an expansion in the movement of VHP sugar volumes to be marketed by the company during the contract period.

VLI currently accounts for 20% of sugar exports from the Santos port region through the Luiz Antonio Mesquita Port Integrator Terminal, or Tiplam, in Santos, according to data from Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade.

“The renewal of this partnership is a clear sign of confidence in VLI’s multimodal strategy, which provides our clients with the best logistics solution for each need, combined with low-carbon logistics. bp is an important partner that, like VLI, values safety and efficiency in its operations. For us, it is a source of pride to continue this partnership, working continuously to generate value for our client’s logistics chain,” said Carolina Hernandez Tascon, VLI’s executive director for commercial operations, projects and strategic planning.

Over the past five crop cycles alone, VLI has transported about 6.4 million tonnes of sugar for bp bioenergy, from nine company mills located in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Goiás states, as well as products from other partner mills.

The new contract provides for the continuation and expansion of operations, including full door-to-door cargo pickup carried out entirely by VLI. The road leg is handled through Trato, the digital platform responsible for road operations, from the mills operated by bp’s bioenergy division to VLI’s terminals in Uberaba, Minas Gerais, and Guará, São Paulo. From there, the sugar is moved to the Santos port region via the Centro-Atlântica Railway, or FCA.

“Trato’s service for bp bioenergy includes, at some units, shipments loaded directly from production, which requires strict logistics control and paced loading. bp bioenergy was Trato’s first client under a long-term contract, and that contract was also recently renewed for another period,” the company said. Once the sugar reaches Tiplam, the commodity is exported to markets in various parts of the world.

Trato platform

Trato was developed through VLI’s intrapreneurship program, using agile methodology, business modeling and advanced technology. It now fits into one of the company’s strategic growth drivers: the exploration of disruptive business models that generate value for customers.

In addition to road transport services, the platform offers business and technology solutions that integrate the movement of thousands of tonnes, and thousands of trucks, arriving at and leaving VLI’s road-rail and port integrator terminals. Over the past four years, Trato has managed more than 2 million truck trips, providing more visibility, empowerment and services to truck drivers who move through VLI terminals every day.

The service improves the driver experience by optimizing operations and reducing inefficient waiting times, especially idle time during loading and unloading, while also increasing asset utilization by directing the most suitable vehicles to each demand.

Source: VLI

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