New train operation with 120 Rumo wagons marks the beginning of the soybean harvest in MT

Focused on solutions to make the railway mode cleaner and more efficient, Rumo designed a new operating model for the main railway corridor for Brazilian agribusiness, between Rondonópolis (MT) and the Port of Santos (SP). With the capacity to transport around 11.500 useful tons of grain, the train with 120 wagons brings a gain of approximately 50% in capacity compared to the trains used before, with a maximum of 80 wagons (7.600 tons). Every day, an average of seven trains of 120 cars should leave towards Santos. This February, around 80 thousand tons of soybeans have been shipped daily at the main grain terminal in Latin America.

According to the latest grain survey for the 2020/21 Harvest released by the National Supply Company (CONAB), the Brazilian harvest was estimated at 133,70 million tons. On the consumption side, exports are expected to reach a number above 85,7 million tons, driven by strong Chinese demand and the strong percentage sold, to date, which already accounts for more than 60% of the harvest.

"We are prepared to meet soybean volumes this February with maximum efficiency", says Darlan Fábio De David, vice-president of Rumo's Northern Operation. "We have an average of 1.600 trucks unloading per day at the terminal. It is an operation at the service of Mato Grosso agribusiness, we work to shorten distances and place the producer at the port's doorstep", emphasizes Darlan.

In tests since June last year, the initiative to increase capacity is part of the commitments made by Rumo with the early renewal of the Malha Paulista concession contract until 2058. In 2020, 505 tests were carried out, equivalent to more than 830 thousand kilometers driven

"The increase in train capacity will provide a 30% reduction in flow when the entire fleet is made up of this new operational model", projects Darlan. "It's a solution that benefits the entire logistics chain. From optimizing terminal turnover in loading and unloading operations to reducing transit time in railway operations and offering more competitive freight," explains Darlan.

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In order for the new operating model to be made viable, Rumo began planning in 2018 that involved a series of technical challenges for the train's design: from the use of simulators, field tests and sensors to evaluate issues related to track conditions, capacity, among other factors. In total, more than R$700 million will be invested in the project. The works involve adjustments to yards, gas stations and signage.

All adjustments for the circulation of 100% of the 120-wagon trains in the export flow (Rondonópolis-Porto de Santos) were completed at the beginning of this year. Regarding the import flow, the works are expected to be completed by 2022.

In addition to the adjustments to the Malha Paulista and Norte, the entire operation of the Malha Central (North-South railway) between Porto Nacional (TO) and Estrela D' Oeste (SP) is being structured to serve operations with 120-wagon trains. The projection is to have at least 1 train per day departing from the São Simão (GO) terminal when operations begin in this first half of the year.

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Another differentiator of the new operating model is fuel economy. For every 25 trains of 120 cars that run from Rondonópolis to Santos, the company has a gain of one train "that runs without fuel" on this route.

"We are working to make the railway mode a reference in energy efficiency and innovation, thus reducing emissions per ton transported", says Darlan. "Our objective is to leverage rail transport with a prominent role in the search for cleaner logistics."

Since 2015, when it took over the concession of the railway networks, the company has already accumulated a 26% reduction in specific emissions, a number that is equivalent to approximately 750 thousand tons of CO2, mainly due to operational efficiency related to the reduction in fuel consumption and the adoption of new technologies such as Trip Optimizer, a semi-autonomous driving technology that allows trains to run with up to 10% less diesel compared to non-automated ones.