Brazil's railway network is entering an exciting new era: construction projects which are underway and planned promise to rebalance logistics in favour of rail over road. Initiatives are also in the works to stimulate the domestic railway manufacturing industry and its supply chain following years of inconsistent production. But with progress comes challenges, as Kevin Smith discovered during a visit to São Paulo.

BRAZILIAN transport minister Mr César Borges announced on August 12 that the government has postponed the tendering process for the 511km Campinas – São Paulo – Rio de Janeiro high-speed line, which is likely to delay the opening until after 2020.

BRAZIL's National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) has published the results of a public consultation on the planned 457km Açailândia – Maranhão – Barcarena – Pará line, which will be one of the first railways in the country to operate on an open-access basis.

BRAZIL's National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) has begun discussions with the country's freight railways on the possibility of introducing a new concessioning model.