An outlook on rail cargo in Argentina during the first half of the year

ALFREDO SESÉ

According to the National Commission for the Regulation of Transportation (CNRT), the total rail freight loading in Argentina during the first six months of the current year shows a year-on-year increase of 0.5%. However, the performance varies depending on the company and the line. In terms of ton-kilometers, which is the relevant measure in transportation, the Freight Railway System (SFC) has shown an increase of 12%. However, there was a mixed performance between different companies and lines. The companies Nuevo Central Argentino S.A. and Ferrosur Roca S.A. registered drops of -11% and -5% respectively, while Ferro Expreso Pampeano S.A. increased tons-kilometer by 3%. San Martín, Urquiza and Belgrano lines, all of them under the management of Belgrano Cargas and Logística S.A., showed increases of 80%, 136% and 69% respectively.
In order to have a broader perspective of the total rail cargo by company and line, the following table analyze their performance during the first six months of the last three years. Urquiza, Belgrano and San Martín lines present the greatest growth during the period under review.