National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) in Brazil has launcehd public consultation from January 06, 2021, for the early extension of the contract of Concessionária Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica SA (FCA). The authority seeks to collect suggestions and contributions with a view to improving studies for extending the contractual term. Contributions from the public can be sent to ANTT until February 19, 2021.

 

Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica SA obtained the concession of Malha Centro-Leste, belonging to the extinct Rede Ferroviária Federal SA, in the auction held in June 1996. The company started operating public rail freight services in September 1996.

 

Among the main benefits expected from the extension, for another 30 years, of the current concession contract (which will end on August 31, 2026) are the mandatory investment in security and increased capacity, as well as the anticipation of these investments, which only would occur from 2027 with a new concession. In addition, in the process of early extension of the concession, new investments in the network itself or in other interventions in the national railway network (cross-investments) may be added, as an alternative to the part of the grant amount to be paid to the concessionaire.

 

Its railway network is 7,215 km long, almost entirely in metric gauge (only 130 km in mixed gauge), crossing the states of Sergipe, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Goiás, in addition to the Federal District.