With an additional 757 meters, the infrastructure will increase container throughput via rail by 20%
On the morning of Tuesday, September 1, TCP—the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal—and Brado Logística, a leader in multimodal transportation, held the inauguration ceremony for the third rail line providing access to the terminal. The new infrastructure expands the operational capacity of Brado and TCP at the yard and is expected to increase rail freight traffic by approximately 20% by 2027.
The event marked the completion of a phase of investments aimed at strengthening the rail connection at the Terminal and brought together representatives from various sectors involved in foreign trade, including leaders from TCP, Brado, the Federation of Industries of the State of Paraná (Fiep), Rumo, and clients.
For Luciano Johnsson, CEO of Brado Logística, the investment is particularly significant given Paraná’s role in the production and export of agribusiness and industrial products that supply both domestic and international markets.
“Paraná plays an increasingly significant role in foreign trade. By expanding rail capacity in Paranaguá, we are strengthening a strategic connection between producing regions, industry, and the port. This infrastructure keeps pace with the scale of Paraná’s production and helps streamline the route between the countryside and the port,” he states.
The new structure adds 757 meters of track and expands the terminal’s switching yard, enabling a change in how trains are handled. Previously, the yard operated with two tracks: while one train arrived, another left the area, and loading and unloading took place in batches of 41 containers, since the 82 railcars arriving had to be divided into two groups to cross the level crossing.
As a result, two interruptions were required for the train to pass completely, both for the train itself and for vehicles traveling on the road. With the third track, two trains will be able to remain in operation simultaneously while a third departs, increasing the fluidity of operations and handling capacity at the yard.
The expansion of rail capacity is particularly significant given Brado’s role in moving cargo through the Terminal. In 2025, of the 326,300 full containers exported by TCP, approximately 52,000 were transported by Brado, equivalent to 16% of shipments.
According to TCP’s commercial manager, Fabio Mattos, the increase in the number of rail lines accessing the terminal will play a key role in the region’s economic development.
“TCP has made early investments in new trucks and cranes to accommodate the increase in cargo volume following the completion of the railroad expansion. Rail transport is already an integral part of the logistics chain for major industries in the state, and with this new infrastructure, the Terminal expects to drive a new cycle of growth and regional development, offering greater capacity and efficiency to exporters.”
The impact of the new infrastructure is also linked to the profile of Paraná’s economy. The state leads the nation in chicken production, accounting for nearly 35% of the Brazilian market, and ranks second in pork production. The strength of the animal protein sector creates a constant demand for solutions capable of connecting industrial hubs and producers to port terminals on a large scale and with regularity.
At Brado, chicken accounts for 24% of the company’s shipments, underscoring the importance of rail infrastructure for supply chains that depend on logistical efficiency and access to international markets. The rail corridor served by the operation reaches regions such as Cascavel and Cambé—key hubs for animal protein production and export—as well as Ortigueira, a leading center for pulp and paper production. This connection enables the integration of different production regions with the Port of Paranaguá and expands the options for transporting cargo destined for export.
For Brado’s CEO, the new line also represents an evolution in how Brado utilizes available rail infrastructure to meet customer demand.
“We have a long-term vision for our business, and that means paying attention not only to the volume we handle today but also to the changes taking place in foreign trade and among the customers we serve. Brado wants to continue being a company that anticipates these changes and transforms market knowledge into concrete investment decisions. It is this perspective that guides our actions and underpins the company’s next steps,” emphasizes Johnsson.
About Brado Logística
Brado is a national leader in multimodal logistics services. It has its own infrastructure consisting of 33 locomotives, approximately 4,700 containers, and more than 2,000 railcars, as well as equipment, warehouses, and terminals, complemented by strategic partnerships in the country’s major consumer centers. With operations increasingly tailored to the needs of the import, export, and domestic markets, the company strives for excellence in container handling in Brazil, with a focus on multimodal integration.
About TCP
TCP, the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal, is the largest port terminal in southern Brazil, according to ANTAQ, and one of the leading terminals in South America, having operated on the coast of Paraná since 1998. Recognized for its modern infrastructure and comprehensive solutions for importers and exporters, the company boasts the largest yard for refrigerated container storage in South America, with 5,280 power outlets, its own bonded warehouse, a specialized area for dangerous goods, and is the only terminal in southern Brazil with a direct rail connection to the bonded area. TCP stands out as one of the main export corridors for Brazilian agribusiness, leading domestic shipments of chicken meat and expanding its share of beef exports, in addition to being a benchmark for shipments of agribusiness products.
