Infrastructure works reduced the value of agricultural freight by 11%.
Eighty-six priority works were delivered in 2020 by the Ministry of Infrastructure. According to the portfolio’s annual balance sheet, released today (14), 1,259 kilometers (km) of roads were built throughout the year throughout the country, resulting in an average reduction of 11% in the value of agricultural freight, the ministry said, having based on studies by the Planning and Logistics Company (EPL).
“This year 2020 was an extremely challenging year because we were faced with an unexpected situation, which was the pandemic. We were concerned with keeping the logistics working, so that we could face better, ”said the Minister of Infrastructure, Tarcísio Gomes de Freitas when presenting the balance sheet online. According to Gomes de Freitas, Brazil is prepared, from a logistical point of view, to distribute vaccines.
Concessions
According to the balance sheet, the airport sector benefited from the expansion of several airports. Especially those in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Fortaleza (CE) and Campo Grande (MS). In addition, a new departure terminal was completed at Navegantes airport (SC). The portfolio adds that it also delivered the Atalaia Pier at the Port of Vitória (ES), six small ports in the Amazon region, in addition to dredging the Port of Rio Grande.
The year 2020 will count, at the end, the concession of 12 infrastructure assets, between nine auctions and three unprecedented early renewals. “Our focus is on private investment,” said the minister, highlighting the leases of port terminals STS14 and STS14a, in Santos (SP) and the early renewal of the contracts for the Malha Paulista, Vitória-Minas and Carajás railroads.
Lease auctions for the port terminals PAR12 (Paraná), ATU12, ATU18 (Bahia) and MAC10 (Alagoas) are also scheduled for 2020 – which should take place next Friday (18). The government’s expectation is that these enterprises will result in approximately R $ 31 billion in investments made by the private sector.
Pandemic
Among the actions carried out this year, the Ministry of Infrastructure highlights the participation in the joint federal operation that brought 960 tons of surgical masks and N95 to the country, for distribution in all federative units. “For three months, 39 flights left China in an unprecedented logistics operation that crossed 11 different time zones to reach the final destination,” said the folder.
“It was a silent victory, to keep the logistics working during the pandemic. Equipment was transported from abroad and distributed ”, said the minister, guaranteeing that“ Brazil is prepared, from a logistical point of view, to distribute vaccines ”.
Another fact highlighted in the balance sheet released today was the sanction of the new Brazilian Traffic Code, which will come into force on April 12. The expectation is that the changes will simplify and reduce the bureaucracy of processes, reducing costs and investing in educational measures.
BR do Mar
The approval by the Chamber of Deputies of the Law Project (PL) 4.199 / 2020 – which establishes BR do Mar, a government program that seeks to increase the supply and reduce costs for cabotage (navigation between ports in the country) – is considered “ a great victory ”for the port sector. The bill is still being analyzed by the Federal Senate.
Another highlight presented in the ministry’s balance sheet was the availability of the new vehicle identification plate, made available by the National Traffic Department (Denatran) to all federal units. “The current model reduces the cost and brings more efficient security items, such as the QR Code, which allows traceability, making it difficult to clone and counterfeit”, justifies the folder.
Predictions for 2021
For 2021, the Ministry of Infrastructure plans to grant 52 assets to the private sector. The expectation is that, through concessions, privatizations and renovations, R $ 137.5 billion will be invested in infrastructure in the country; and that almost R $ 3 billion is obtained through grants.
Among the planned concessions, there are 23 airports; 17 port terminals; two railways (FIOL and Ferrogrão) and an early renovation – in addition to eleven lots of highways and the “privatization” of Companhia Docas do Espírito Santo (Codesa).
Airports
The government is working on the forecast that the sixth round of airport concessions – covering 22 airports divided into three blocks – will take place in March. There will be nine terminals in the South Region, seven in the North Region and another six in the Midwest and Northeast of the country.
“Among the main ones, the airports are those in Manaus, Goiânia and Curitiba, which should anchor the blocks. Special mention should also be made of the airport in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), which has been undergoing a series of modernization and expansion works and will start receiving international flights. The city is the second most sought after international destination, behind Rio de Janeiro, ”informs the ministry.
The relicitation of São Gonçalo do Amarante / RN Airport and the sale of Infraero’s stake in Guarulhos / SP, Brasília / DF, Galeão / RJ and Confins / MG airports are also planned.
Port sector
The government is preparing to lease two more important areas of the Port of Santos: terminals STS08 and STS08A. The expectation is about R $ 1.2 billion in investments in these terminals that are aimed at the storage of liquid bulk (fuels). The auction is scheduled for the first quarter of 2021, and the winner will manage the terminals for a period of 25 years.
One “major asset” that is expected to go up for auction in 2021 is the new concession of Via Dutra (BR-116), which connects São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. According to the ministry, this project will also cover the Rio-Santos highway (BR-101). The forecast is that R $ 14.5 million will be invested in the project, which will be granted for 30 years to the new operator.
Railways
In the railway sector, the highlight of the ministry is the concession of the first section of the Oeste-Leste Railway (FIOL), which will connect Caetité, in Bahia, to the Port of Ilhéus; and Ferrogrão, linking production in northern Mato Grosso to the ports of Miritituba, in Pará.
In the railway sector, the highlight of the ministry is the concession of the first section of the Oeste-Leste Railway (FIOL), which will connect Caetité, in Bahia, to the Port of Ilhéus; and Ferrogrão, linking production in northern Mato Grosso to the ports of Miritituba, in Pará.
Source: primeirahora.com.br