Railway plan to connect Port of Açu moves forward with ANTT review

The first phase of the EF-118 railway project, which will connect the Vitória-Minas line to the Port of Açu in São João da Barra, has already been submitted to the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) and is expected to reach the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), the final step before the auction scheduled for October. The offering to the market is planned for the first half of 2026.

The total investment in this stretch is estimated at R$6.12 billion, with an initial contribution of R$1.8 billion from Vale to ensure viability.

Last week, the federal government and Vale concluded, unsuccessfully, the renegotiation of the Vitória-Minas and Carajás concessions. The Ministry of Transport had hoped to use part of those resources — around R$2 billion — for the EF-118 works.

Talks between Vale and the government could even end up in court, meaning those funds will not materialize, and Brasília will have to find alternative sources. The federal government, however, insists it has other ways to raise the capital.

The project has faced repeated delays amid promises and expectations due to the lack of consensus between Vale and the government.

The new railway promises to reshape logistics in the Southeast by creating a new route for agribusiness, linking ports in Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo. The line will connect Anchieta (ES) to São João da Barra over more than 170 km.

In a later phase, once this first section is completed, the line is expected to extend to Nova Iguaçu, covering more than 325 km of track. The government’s plan foresees a 50-year concession. The Anchieta–São João da Barra stretch alone will require R$4.5 billion in works.

The EF-118 project is being closely monitored by the Port of Açu, currently the largest private port complex in Latin America.

In operation for ten years, the port has already received R$22 billion in investments. Controlled by Prumo Logística, a company owned by U.S. fund EIG Global Energy Partners and Mubadala Investment Company of the United Arab Emirates, Açu has a portfolio of R$22 billion in expansion projects over the next five years.

The railway is set to further boost these plans. Since it began operations, the Port of Açu has focused on cargoes that do not depend on rail.

Oil and gas arrive by sea to supply the ships calling at its terminals. Iron ore, the port’s core business, reaches Açu through 529 km of underground slurry pipelines. These pipelines transport ore mixed with water from Conceição do Mato Dentro and Alvorada (MG).

Source: Rede Hits

Sharing is caring!