Port of Açu completes first locomotive handling operation for export

The Port of Açu, located in the northern part of Rio de Janeiro state, has completed its first export operation involving the handling of locomotives. A total of 17 locomotives manufactured by Wabtec—a global provider of rail transportation technology and solutions—at its Contagem, Minas Gerais facility were shipped to Australia. Action Cargo managed the logistics, coordinating the entire process from inland transportation to international ocean freight.

“The operation reinforces the Port of Açu’s ability to develop tailor-made logistics solutions for project cargo, supported by ample storage capacity and operational flexibility to meet customers’ specific requirements,” said João Braz, Director of Terminals and Logistics at the Port of Açu.

The locomotives were stored and prepared for shipment at the port’s Multi-Cargo Terminal (T-Mult). Each unit measures approximately 20.5 meters in length, 3.07 meters in width, and 4.09 meters in height, with an individual weight of around 115 tonnes. The full operation handled nearly 2,000 tonnes of cargo.

The first shipment, consisting of three locomotives, took place in December 2025. A second shipment of seven units followed in March 2026, while the third and final batch of seven locomotives was completed in May, bringing the total to the planned 17 units.

The success of the operation depended on close coordination among all parties involved in developing customized logistics solutions and the flexibility required to meet the project’s specific demands.

“The Port of Açu was essential to the operation because it enabled us to carry out the fumigation and washing of all locomotives within the port’s Primary Zone, fulfilling the requirements imposed by Australian authorities,” said Leonardo Andrade of Action Cargo.

“The export of the 17 locomotives required robust logistics planning, given the size and technical characteristics of the equipment. In this context, choosing the Port of Açu proved fundamental to the success of the operation, providing the infrastructure and conditions needed to ensure efficiency, safety, and competitiveness throughout every stage of the project,” added Thiago Elias, Logistics and Transportation Manager at Wabtec LATAM.

The locomotive operation highlights T-Mult’s continued growth in the project cargo segment. In 2025, the terminal recorded a historic high of 2.1 million tonnes handled—including dry bulk, breakbulk, and project cargo—representing a 15.9% increase over the previous year, while expanding both its cargo portfolio and customer base.

Source: Port of Açu

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