With the inauguration of the Rumo Terminal in Rio Verde, Brazil has finally finished its North-South Railroad. After the start of construction in 1986, it took decades to finish the line, which is over 2,200 km long.
The inauguration ceremony that took place on 16 June 2023 featured the participation of the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and Transport Minister Renan Filho.
The railway primarily serves agricultural exports, mainly soy, corn and cotton. From the overall commodity mix, agricultural commodities represent around 21% of all cargo moved, half of it on this particular corridor. Three Brazilian states – Goiás, Mato Grosso and Minas Gerais – with strong production of commodities will benefit from the finished railway line thanks to the ability to have their products transported to the seaports.
In 2019, the logistics operator Rumo started operation on 1,537 km of tracks in the southern section after winning the 30-year concession between Estrela d'Oeste and Porto Nacional. Over the last 4 years, the company built three new terminals in São Simão, Rio Verde and Iturama. The northern section, from Porto Nacional to Acelandia, is operated by VLI Logística. Vale operates the connecting line from Açailândia to the port of Itági.
