Works on Santos Port’s internal railway reach 30% progress after two years

Infrastructure works on the Internal Railway of the Port of Santos (Fips) have advanced 30% in almost two years, including three new railway lines on both margins of the port complex, allowing for the flow of up to 40 million tonnes of grain and pulp per year. The information comes from the Managing Association (AG) of Fips, which expects to complete all investments, estimated at R$ 1 billion, by 2028, within the planned schedule.

The concession of the Internal Railway of the Port of Santos came into effect on October 1, 2023, with a term of 35 years, renewable for an equal period, covering management, operation, maintenance, and expansion of the railway line. AG-Fips is a special-purpose entity formed by Rumo, MRS, and VLI, replacing Portofer in the management of the railway.

Under the contract, the concessionaire must invest in infrastructure projects in the first five years, with the goal of increasing the flow capacity of products from 51 million tonnes per year to 115 million tonnes per year in the Santos port complex.

According to AG-Fips, the following projects have already been completed:

• The aerial boulevard access to Parque Valongo;
• The expansion of the Conceiçãozinha Railway Yard in Guarujá, operational since August 2024, which increases the capacity for receiving large volumes of cargo;
• The implementation of the Macuco Pulp Cluster in Santos, which has been operating since early 2025, is expanding the railway network to meet the growth of the pulp sector and support the export corridor.

“These works enable the flow of up to 40 million tonnes per year of grain and pulp, reinforcing the export capacity of the Port,” stated AG-Fips.

“We are proud of the progress achieved so far. This reflects our commitment to the efficiency and competitiveness of the Port of Santos. It is already possible to see an increase in the movement of grain and pulp, with positive impacts generated by the delivered infrastructure,” said João Almeida, president of AG-Fips.

As for the rail loop — a circular yard that will allow cargo transshipment without the need to split the train — AG-Fips reported that the works are ongoing, with completion expected in the second half of 2026.

“Awaited for more than ten years, the project was divided into seven phases: four have been completed, and phases five and six have recently begun. This intervention is considered fundamental for logistical efficiency and for serving the terminals of Outeiros, Macuco, and Ponta da Praia,” the company noted.

In addition to the loop, the implementation of the Centralized Traffic Control (CTC) system is planned for next year, “which will modernize the management of train movements between Outeiros and Ponta da Praia, increasing safety and reliability of operations,” the concessionaire said.

Terminal receives R$ 2.5 billion investment

In partnership with CHS, Rumo Logística is developing a new port terminal in the DP World area at the Port of Santos, with an investment of R$ 2.5 billion. The project, which is awaiting environmental licensing, will have works lasting an estimated 30 months and an annual handling capacity of up to 9 million tonnes of grain and 3.5 million tonnes of fertilizers.

“Rumo has been contributing to boosting capacity growth at the Port of Santos through important investments and strategic partnerships. Meanwhile, the set of Fips projects aims to add at least 25 million tonnes to the Port’s capacity by 2030,” the railway company said in a statement.

The company also reported progress on the Mato Grosso Railway (FMT), considered the largest railway project under construction in the country and the first in the greenfield model. “With 740 kilometers of track, the railway will deliver its first phase in the second half of 2026: 160 kilometers of rails and a road-rail transshipment terminal with capacity to handle 10 million tonnes per year.”

Fonte: A Tribuna

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