The National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES) has approved financing worth BRL495 million (US$99.7 million) for the modernization of the logistics infrastructure at the Port of Paranaguá, located in the state of Paraná, Brazil.

The initiative, overseen by the Administration of the Ports of Paranaguá and Antonina (APPA), involves a total investment of BRL 647 million (US$130 million). Its primary goal is to implement a rail reception and unloading system for grains and bran in export-focused terminals, which includes adapting the road and rail infrastructure in the eastern region of the port. Currently, approximately 80% of cargo transportation in APPA's logistics matrix is carried out by trucks, leading to congestion and pollution in the area.

The anticipated impacts of the project include a significant increase in rail bulk reception capacity, rising from seven to 24 million tons annually. This will eliminate the need for locomotives and wagons to undergo complex maneuvers, thereby streamlining operations. Additionally, the project aims to enhance road circulation in the port region by reducing the number of railway line crossings with urban roads from 16 to five, with the expectation of a substantial reduction in truck traffic. Furthermore, the project seeks to free up internal areas within the terminals for potential operational enhancements by eliminating individual railway branches. This, in turn, is expected to reduce the time spent by wagons, locomotives, and trucks during unloading, ultimately improving overall operational efficiency.