"VLI, a logistics solutions company that operates ports, railways, and terminals, and fuel distributor ALE jointly carried out, for the first time, a rail flow of biofuels from Porto Nacional (TO) to São Luís (MA) via the North-South Railway. In total, 545 cubic meters of anhydrous ethanol were transported, which is used to supply ALE network stations in Maranhão.

The operation took place in July and was made possible after both companies jointly developed the logistics solution. The flow, which was previously done by road, required, on average, three trucks for each loaded wagon. These vehicles traveled a distance of over 1,300 km to reach the cargo's destination. The distributor has been a long-standing customer of VLI and regularly transports fuel from São Luís to Porto Nacional via rail.

"This is an example of co-creating a solution with our customer, ensuring the joint development of cargo movement in a safer, more efficient, and sustainable way by VLI and ALE. This is because the return flow represents a better utilization of the wagons used to transport fuels, which would otherwise return to São Luís empty. Now the wagons travel the route with ALE's cargo, resulting in a better carbon emission equation per ton transported in the integrated system of both companies. Not to mention that the railway mode provides greater energy efficiency compared to the road, which was previously used for this transportation," says João Carlos Apolônio de Souza, Commercial Manager for Fuels at VLI.

ALE's Logistics Strategy Manager, Elmer Vinhote, explains that the initiative was experimental with the aim of evaluating the feasibility of the operation. "We succeeded, and the intention now is to expand this mode in collaboration with VLI, exploring this strategy further, which still has untapped potential in the market," he says.

He mentions that there are plans for new projects in collaboration with VLI. "We are always looking for new partnerships to enable logistical innovations and other projects that aim to bring value to the companies and our end consumer," Vinhote highlights. "This collaborative approach strengthens the development of efficient and sustainable solutions, benefiting the entire supply chain and delivering positive results for the sector as a whole," he adds.

Operated by VLI, the northern section of the North-South Railway is a highly efficient outlet channel, through which the agribusiness production from the Matopiba region is directed for export via the port system of São Luís, as well as cargoes like pulp and fuels – in the latter case, for the domestic market. In 2022, VLI transported approximately 15 million tons on the North-South Railway, an 18% increase compared to the previous year. The growth in cargo movement accompanies the expansion of Brazilian production and the company's focus on planning and operational stability, which enables the safe and efficient transport of goods."