Brazil Transport Ministry Unveils 2026 Auctions and First National Rail Policy, Targeting R$288 Billion

Overview

• The 2026 portfolio lists 21 concessions with projected R$288 billion in investments, including R$148 billion for highways and R$140 billion in rail capex.
• The new rail policy outlines roughly 9,000 km of projects with up to R$650–656 billion in system resources and encourages real‑estate revenue and passenger use of idle tracks.
• The government expects to cover about 20% of project costs, estimating R$28–30 billion in public contributions via PPP structures under ANTT oversight with BNDES support.
• The rail calendar targets Minas–Rio in April, the Southeast Rail Ring in June, Malha Oeste in July, the East–West corridor in August, Ferrogrão in September, and three Malha Sul blocks in December, while road sessions start in March with the Régis Bittencourt repactuation.
• Officials flagged that schedules may adjust as studies progress, with rail bid notices planned from January to October 2026 and auctions possibly extending into early 2027, and Ferrogrão still dependent on an STF decision.