Minas–Rio Railway Corridor: A New Chapter for Brazil’s Infrastructure

Following five years without railway auctions, Brazil is preparing for a significant new development in the sector. The auction for the Minas–Rio Railway Corridor is scheduled for December 17, 2026.

Spanning approximately 733 kilometers, the corridor will be divided into two lots:

• Lot 1: Iguatema, Minas Gerais, to Barra Mansa, Rio de Janeiro, including the branch line between Varginha and Lavras, both in Minas Gerais;
• Lot 2: Barra Mansa to Angra dos Reis, both in Rio de Janeiro.

The future authorization holder will be responsible for maintaining, rehabilitating, and modernizing the railway infrastructure and will have up to two years to submit the Railway Infrastructure Recapacitation, Rehabilitation, and Modernization Project — PREC.

This initiative represents an important opportunity to restore underused or inactive sections, modernize the existing railway network, increase transport capacity, and strengthen logistics integration between the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro.

Another relevant aspect is the role of independent technical assessment: whenever public funding is involved, the tender notice requires the detailed engineering design to be accompanied by an inspection certificate issued by an Accredited Inspection Body — OIA.

At Intertek Brazil, we are closely following the new investments in the railway sector and are prepared to contribute technical solutions that enhance quality, safety, reliability, and efficiency throughout every stage of infrastructure projects.

More than reactivating railway lines, initiatives like this create new pathways for the development of Brazil’s logistics sector.