25.11.2024 | ABIFER | Notícias do Mercado
Fonte: BN Americas Data: 19/11/2024
The Brazilian government announced an initiative to speed up environmental licensing procedures for key freight rail projects.
The transport ministry sent a recommendation to state-run firm Infra, which is responsible for developing infrastructure projects, to adopt a fast-track approach for the permitting of strategic projects such as Ferrogrão, EF-118 and the FICO–FIOL corridor.
“This measure is extremely important because it will create greater legal certainty and streamline projects, as the federal government has significant expertise in this types of procedures. This will provide more security for both local and international investors interested in these projects,” Vicente Abate, president of rail equipment manufacturers’ association Abifer, told BNamericas.
The ministry’s recommendation includes authorization for these projects to obtain a preliminary environmental license, with the request to be made by the federal government.
Currently, environmental permitting is requested only after the contract is signed by the concession winner, which poses a risk for private sector operators. By allowing the federal government to obtain the preliminary license, the initiative seeks to mitigate these risks and attract more private investment.
“The current model discourages investors due to the delays and complexity of the procedures. Our goal is to simplify and make the process more transparent to ensure the attractiveness and development of the rail sector,” Leonardo Ribeiro, national secretary for rail transport, said in a statement.
Among the projects selected by the government, Ferrogrão is considered the most controversial regarding environmental licenses.
Ferrogrão runs for 933km, connecting the major grain-producing state of Mato Grosso to the port of Miritituba in the Amazon, crossing Pará state. The project faces criticism from some environmental groups due to its potential impacts, including on indigenous communities and lands.
“Of course, we have to be cautious about any environmental impact and also regarding indigenous peoples, but Ferrogrão is an important project to advance because, with this railway line, Brazil could reduce the 4,000 vehicles per day currently using the BR-163 highway. Ferrogrão could lead to a reduction of 2Mt of CO2 emissions per year,” said Abate.
According to the ABIFER president, along with the federal government’s initiative to accelerate environmental licenses for certain rail projects, similar efforts are being made in Paraná state for the Nova Ferroeste railroad, which is intended to connect Paranaguá port to Maracaju in Mato Grosso do Sul state to improve transportation of products from western Paraná, Santa Catarina, Mato Grosso do Sul and Paraguay.
