Mato Grosso do Sul Railroad: know all about it!

Is there only one Mato Grosso do Sul railroad? There are not many and all are of intrinsic importance to the state's economy. With more than 30% of its GDP coming from industries and agriculture, the need to transport products on a large scale is great. No wonder, some industries present in the region are wanting to increase the state's railway network. That's because compared to other states.

In addition, and to understand a little more about the history and importance of rail transport over the last century, also learn about the generation of jobs that Nova Ferroeste and Eldorado Brasil Celulose will cause for the cities of the region. In addition, the amounts invested for the construction and the products that will be exported on the railways of Mato Grosso do Sul. 

Main railways in Mato Grosso do Sul

The size of a continental territory, Brazil is one of the largest countries on the planet. Only behind Russia, China, Canada and the United States, Brazil has an area of ​​8,516,000 km², making it the fifth largest country in the world. The state of Mato Grosso do Sul alone, specifically, has 357,125 km². That is to say, the use of railroads on a larger scale would be an excellent option to reduce transport costs in the country. 

In terms of the main railways in Mato Grosso do Sul, the Linha Tronco (Northwest Railroad of Brazil) is one of the most traditional railways in western Brazil. It connects the center-west of the state of São Paulo to the city of Corumbá, in Mato Grosso do Sul. Important link with the richest state in the country, the railroad is 1330 kilometers long. In addition to leaving the center of the state of São Paulo, the city of Corumbá is located on the banks of the Paraguay River. That is, it allows important international connections to exist, such as Argentina and Paraguay. 

In addition to it, another well-known and historical railway in the region is the Ferronorte (North Brazil Railway). Linking the city of Santa Fé do Sul (MS) to Rondonópolis (MT), it is another important stretch for the Midwest of the country since 1989. Consolidated as one of the main corridors for the flow of grain in the region, the route is essential for agribusiness. In fact, there are 755 kilometers that connect the northwest of São Paulo to the south of Mato Grosso. Among the main products transported are: Soy, soy meal, grains, ore, meat and cellulose, all products whose production in the Midwest region is quite high. 

State products that need to be transported by rail

If we look at the question of transporting people, Brazil practically does not use this means of transport. When we talk about cargo transport, the Brazilian network could be even more developed. 

When we take a state like Mato Grosso do Sul, or even the large states in the North and Midwest of Brazil, the distance from the coast makes the price of road transport very high. Not to mention the number of employees and vehicles needed, for example. 

That said, the construction of more railroads would greatly facilitate the flow of products from the grain and cellulose industries. For this reason, the Eldorado Brasil Celulose railway, for example, will be built with a private initiative worth R$890 million, with a stretch of 89 kilometers. In this case, it would be the connection between the section between Três Lagoas (MS) and Aparecida do Taboado (MS). Negotiations with the Ministry of Infrastructure have already begun and the trend is for the works to begin by 2024. 

In addition to Eldorado Brasil Celulose, Suzano Papel e Celulose is also a strong industry in the state. As for the grain industry, some industries also stand out, such as Semalo Indústria e Comércio de Alimentos and BR Grãos, which is located in Mundo Novo, close to the border with Paraná. 

Mato Grosso do Sul Railway – current and future situation

With the rail network still aiming to grow to facilitate the development of the region's economy, Eldorado Brasil Celulose alone should cost around R$1 billion reais. If we look at the national level, the country as a whole has been trying to increase investments in railways. With the Pró-Trilhos program, there are already 12 companies that already have the proper authorization from the Federal Government to enter the sector. 

In addition to the new stretches that will be built on the Mato Grosso Sul railways, some other stretches must be reactivated and modernized. In fact, when it comes to railways, it is always important to emphasize the importance of railroad scales. As rail transport usually operates with a large scale of products (such as grains, for example), monitoring the weight that each wagon supports is essential to avoid loss of cargo. 

As the state of Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the major grain exporters, weighing these grains is also very easy, as they can be divided correctly at the time of transport.

The railroads of Mato Grosso do Sul and the integrations that can form a new export corridor

As in all capitalist spheres, the increase in the railway network in Mato Grosso do Sul aims to benefit not only the companies (the main beneficiaries, obviously), but also generate development for the region and, mainly, the creation of jobs. That is, in addition to “putting the region on the map once and for all”, all logistics also improve. 

Looking a little more specifically at the Mato Grosso do Sul Railway (Nova Ferroeste and Eldorado Brasil Celulose), only the stretch that will connect Maracaju (the largest grain producer) to Dourados (one of the largest processing plants) will bring numerous benefits. Altogether, it is expected that the construction of the stretches in the state alone will generate around 30,000 jobs. 

It is worth remembering that Nova Ferroeste, at the end of its construction, will connect the state of Mato Grosso do Sul to Paraná, allowing this important integration between the states. Looking only at the 345-kilometer stretch of the Mato Grosso do Sul Railway (from Maracaju to Mundo Novo), around 4 billion reais will be invested. 

Conclusion

Having clarified all the details about the Mato Grosso do Sul Railways and the new stretches that should move the region's economy, rail transport can be the way out for a more sustainable future. After all, in addition to polluting the environment less than classic road transport, their cost of use is lower. However, there is a need to build the entire mesh. 

With regard specifically to Mato Grosso do Sul, the new and old industries in the state should benefit in the coming years. Not to mention the populations of cities close to the railroad sections, which will have around 30,000 jobs available.