Port of Paranagua ‘Moegão’ to Feature Brazil’s Most Advanced Grain Transport System

The first module of the conveyor galleries that will transport grain from Moegão to the port terminals connected to the system was lifted into place this Thursday (6) at the Port of Paranaguá. Weighing 38 tonnes and measuring 25 meters in length, this unit is the first of 54 modules to be installed.

Each gallery module houses three conveyor belts designed to handle bulk grain, each with a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per hour. Once fully assembled, the interconnected modules will form a 1.7-kilometer-long conveyor gallery system.

“We are revolutionizing rail-based grain handling, as no other Brazilian port has a centralized rail intake system like this. The installation of the first gallery module marks the beginning of a critical phase in this construction project,” said Victor Kengo, Director of Engineering and Maintenance.

“The lifting of the steel gallery is a milestone, as we are now beginning Moegão’s above-ground assembly. Until now, all work had been carried out at ground level,” explained Caterina Veronese, project coordinator for the Moegão consortium.

Two cranes, positioned a day in advance for the delicate operation, were used to lift the module into place. Each crane was equipped with counterweights of 40 and 50 tonnes, ensuring stability throughout the process. Using heavy-duty slings, the cranes maneuvered the module onto the pre-cast support structures, completing the installation with millimeter precision.

What Is Moegão?

Moegão—a term derived from the Portuguese word moega, meaning “hopper”—refers to a large-scale grain unloading and conveyor system designed to streamline rail-based cargo handling at the Port of Paranaguá. The system centralizes rail unloading at a dedicated facility equipped with underground receiving pits, conveyor belts, and bucket elevators that transfer grain directly to port terminals. This setup eliminates the need for individual unloading at multiple terminals, improving efficiency and reducing congestion.

Brazil’s Largest Port Infrastructure Project

Moegão is being funded by the state-run port authority Portos do Paraná, with a BRL 600 million investment aimed at boosting port productivity, reducing the number of railway crossings in the city from 16 to five, and improving integration between port operators and the quay. So far, 23% of the project has been completed, with full delivery expected by the end of 2025.

“We have already completed 50% of the foundation work, including blocks and piling for the receiving pits. Now, we are moving forward with the installation of the conveyor gallery,” Kengo added. A total of 353 workers are involved in the project’s construction.

How Moegão Will Operate

The rail network serving the Port of Paranaguá is being adapted to accommodate Moegão’s operations. Upon arrival, railcars will unload their cargo into underground hoppers, from where the grain will be transported via conveyor belts to bucket elevators. These elevators will then lift the grain to the elevated conveyor lines, which will transfer it directly to the port terminals.

Once received at the terminals, the grain will be moved through the port’s export corridor for loading onto vessels. The new rail unloading system is expected to significantly increase throughput, boosting rail handling capacity by 60%—from 550 to 900 wagons per day.

Source: Portos do Paraná

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