Trenes Argentinos Cargas (TAC) is advancing two parallel initiatives aimed at expanding rail freight capacity in Argentina.
Mesopotamia Corridor upgrades to strengthen international links
Infrastructure works have begun on the railway line that crosses the provinces of Misiones, Corrientes, Entre Ríos, and Buenos Aires. The project, supported by the Mercosur Structural Convergence Fund (FOCEM), targets improvements over 210 kilometers of the Urquiza railway corridor. This route serves as a key access point to Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
TAC has allocated ARS 44.47 billion (approximately EUR 47.6 million) to the project, of which ARS 29.80 billion (approximately EUR 31.9 million) is provided by FOCEM as non-reimbursable contributions, while the remaining ARS 14.67 billion (approximately EUR 15.7 million) comes from TAC’s own funds.
The project is divided into 20 procurement segments. The purchase of fasteners and transport rails has already begun through public tenders, with deliveries underway to TAC’s Urquiza Railway base in Zárate, Buenos Aires province.
Key project sections include:
- The Basavilbaso to Concordia stretch (140 km), which includes the construction of a metal railway bridge over the Las Canarias stream.
- A 66-kilometer section linking Virasoro (Corrientes) with the Posadas–Encarnación international crossing (Paraguay).
- The four-kilometer segment connecting Paso de los Libres to the international bridge with Brazil, where bid evaluations for the rehabilitation works are ongoing.
The planned improvements aim to support increased demand, reduce operating costs, and improve operational reliability by decreasing derailment risks and improving transit times.
Rolling stock expansion for grain transport
Under a public-private agreement signed with ACA, Cofco, and Viterra, TAC is strengthening its rail logistics capacity for agricultural products. As part of this initiative, two locomotives have been recovered at the Córdoba workshop, and three out of four units have already been fully reconditioned. The mechanical overhauls included complete disassembly, engine and traction system repairs, and bodywork restoration.
The agreement also secured the procurement of 180 new bulk railcars from the Chinese manufacturer CMEC. The cars, ordered under National and International Tender 20/2023, will be assembled into four trains of 45 cars each, with each car offering a 65-ton capacity. The first delivery is expected in July.
The agreement structure included an advance payment for freight services, which TAC used to finance the acquisition of rolling stock and locomotive refurbishments.
In 2024, agro-industrial goods accounted for 63% of the total cargo moved by TAC. The ongoing investment in rolling stock and infrastructure is aligned with efforts to meet the logistical demands of Argentina’s grain export sector.
