He Central Railway was launched two weeks ago carrying the first shipment of pulp from the pulp mill UPM 2 to him Port of Montevideo; However, its official inauguration took place this afternoon, with the presence of the president Luis Lacalle Pou. “There was trust in a country, in a company and in a government,” highlighted the president at the official culmination event of a key work for the logistics and competitiveness of Uruguay.
The event took place at the station Cardal (on General Artigas Avenue and the corner of José Enrique Rodó), in the department of Florida, where Lacalle Pou led the inauguration at 12 noon. On this occasion, unlike the “unofficial” act of beginning activities of the three, the convoy was fully loaded with a total of 1,656 tons distributed in its 26 cars.
The train had already made its first trip two weeks ago, a milestone that was attended by the Minister of Transportation and Public Works (MTOP), José Luis Falerotogether with authorities of the National Ports Administration (ANP) and all parties involved in this project—including the companies in charge of construction—whose inauguration was delayed for more than a year.
The president referred to this delay by mentioning “some things” unforeseen during the work, such as many more plans to expropriate and build the new train track, necessary for the circulation of the locomotive and wagons, and which today is the railway line. most modern and highest quality in the entire country.
Investment and bet on technology
The work of Central Railway included a investment of 40 million dollars to build the 273 kilometers of railways that link the Port of Montevideo with the UPM plant located in Paso de los Toros, with the aim of facilitating the circulation of freight trains that will circulate at 80 kilometers per hour and with a capacity of 22.5 tons per axle.
The project was developed under European standards, which allowed the development and application of advanced technologies in Uruguay. Among them is the signaling safety system according to the latest European standards, the implementation of concrete sleepers and the use of welded rails.
“This train is of the latest generation, it is the latest in Europe in matters of technology”, explained the Undersecretary of Transportation and Public Works, Juan José Olaizola, in this sense. Once regular operations begin, the Central Railway It will transport 6,656 tons of cellulose pulp in each of them.
Waiting for offers
The inauguration of Central Railway will not only improve the logistical costs associated with the production of cellulose – which will make the product, which is growing in importance in the balance of trade of the country, is even more competitive in international markets—; but can also be used by other companies interested in operating on the railway network.
This, since UPM will only use 50% of the capacity of the railway infrastructure, even when it gradually manages to reach four daily trips.
In that sense, the government is now waiting for the completion of offers and expressions of interest from operators, some of whom it is already talking to. “There are many agreements, one may possibly be closing in a few days,” Falero expressed in this regard, at a press conference, and added that “this clearly shows us that it is not the UPM train, it is the Railway that will circulate in Uruguay”.
Source: Ambito
