BNDES approves R$2 billion for Rumo railway in Mato Grosso.

SÃO PAULO, Dec 23 (Reuters) – The Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) approved the subscription of R$2 billion in debentures to support Rumo in completing the first stage of the Mato Grosso State Railway (FMT), between Rondonópolis and the BR-070 terminal in Dom Aquino, with a length of 162 kilometers, the institution reported on Tuesday.

The first phase of the project, crucial for transporting goods, especially from the agribusiness sector, is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026.

The entire FMT project foresees the construction of approximately 743 km, divided into five phases, to connect the municipalities of Rondonópolis and Lucas do Rio Verde, including a branch line destined for Cuiabá.

"The FMT is one of the most relevant initiatives in the expansion of transport infrastructure and aims to develop the Mato Grosso region and the rail network to capture a significant share of grain transport, mainly soybeans and corn, from one of the largest producing regions in the country," said BNDES in a statement.

Furthermore, the railway will expand the capacity for transporting the state's agro-industrial production and will integrate road and rail transport modes.

A new terminal near the BR-070 highway will play a key role in the logistics process, serving as a hub for cargo transported by road and its transfer to rail. It will have the capacity to handle up to 10 million tons of grain per year.

(By Roberto Samora)