Understand how liquid bulk is transported by rail

In Brazil, transport systems have been looking for new alternatives over the years. This time, it seems that the rail networks have regained strength within the logistics scenario in the country. Thus, there is a very high estimate about the continuous growth of this transport model, the transport of liquid bulk enters this percentage. After all, this is one of the great needs experienced by Brazil in recent years.

The difficulties faced in transport logistics systems do not favor the increase in productivity and efficiency developed within the country and, thus, slow down economic growth in some sectors.

With an eye on changes within the domestic market, the Federal Government, together with the Ministry of Infrastructure, is promoting the incentive to high investments within the railroad sectors across the country. In a bill entitled Pró-Trilhos, the government aims to provide the private sector with incentives for investment within the area. In this way, the railways are once again renovated or built within Brazil.

Along with the rising railway sector within the country, investment in liquid bulk transport is growing. The use of rail transport logistics, therefore, becomes a viable alternative for this service. Some specific ports in the country are already examples of high investment in the liquid bulk sector. Among them, the Ports of Paranaguá and Antonina, which are beginning to look favorably on this sector of the economy and show attention within the market.

Knowing the importance of a high investment in an area that is on the rise, the administration of the ports intends to increase the tanking capacity of the places in a one-off renovation. With this, Paranaguá will be able to have a static capacity of more than 600,000 m³ in the next five years. In addition, the Port is also working on the construction of a second pier for liquid bulk in the region.

What are bulk liquids?

When introducing the subject, it is essential to have a general notion of what liquid bulk is, in fact. It is possible that, when hearing the term “bulk”, there may be an association with the product sold freely, with the weight determined by the customer. In the field of logistics, this term is also perfect to be able, in general terms, to define what bulk is. 

They are, therefore, products stored in large quantities, as it is a means where it is possible to find different types of goods, products, loads and supplies, each case is very specific. In addition, the type of load is defined according to the product to be transported.

Altogether, there are two types of bulk that involve the logistics segment. The solids and the liquids. 

Liquid bulk are products of large quantities that can be transported in specific materials in the logistics system. Common examples of bulk liquids are ethanol, gasoline, petroleum, vegetable oils, and even orange juice.

To transport liquid bulk, there is a specific type of cargo that is developed in this modality, tanks, which can be found on road and rail networks. However, on the railways, there are specifics for transport.

Particularities in transport by rail

Within the rail network system, some specific adaptations are necessary for the transport of liquid bulk. However, these are becoming increasingly common within Brazil. For this specific system of loads, the rail system has developed appropriate wagons. In this way, they can store the product effectively and without major problems.

In the road environment, by trucks, liquid bulk cargoes are transported through tanks. In the rail system, the wagons that work with this logistics are not so different. After all, to transport this type of goods it is essential that there is a way to store them. Thus, wagons are well suited for this specific case of transport across the country.

Movement of liquid bulk in the Port of Paranaguá

With this better understanding of the transport system that involves liquid bulk throughout the country, we can go back to the example of the Port of Paranaguá, which has been investing heavily in this sector.

With an increasing development of liquid bulk transport throughout Brazil, Porto, located in the state of Paraná, is preparing for a promising future within this medium. With a new static capacity for the coming years and the construction of a second pier for liquid bulk inside its base, the Port of Paranaguá should become a great example of the area in a short time.

The investments will make the Port of Paranaguá increase its draft, obtaining 13.5 operational meters, allowing the arrival of larger ships to the port region and counting on an even greater investment in liquid bulk.

With the construction of the new pier, Paranaguá should be, consequently, a reference in the port logistics of liquid bulk in Brazil in a few years. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to the investments made in this region.

Transport of liquid bulk by the North-South Railway

In addition to the strong investment by the Port of Paranaguá in the logistics of liquid bulk, the Norte-Sul Railway is also a reference in this transport throughout the entire territorial extension of the country. When working with the movement of this type of cargo through rail network system the rail networks that cross the territory of Brazil, the North-South Railway also expects high investments within the sector in the coming years.

Understanding the current market is the first step to understand that the liquid bulk sector has been growing exponentially in the country. Therefore, alternatives for the work of the logistics of these products are fundamental. Working with the railway sector in the interior of the country is a cheaper and more efficient alternative for the development of this area.

Knowing this context, the administration of the North-South Railway works hard to achieve, over time, the development of a system that will be a reference in the logistics of these products within the rail networks.

Conclusion

It is clear, therefore, the growth in investments involving liquid bulk logistics in Brazil. Added to this, the railroad sector can be a strong ally for the evolution of this area, which will benefit the Brazilian economy in the future.