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Brazilian Railways Have a Record Year
Brazil's railways have been having a record year. They carried 257
billion TKU, an increase of 10.8% over 2006. Projections for 2008 are
an additional 9%.Since 1997 the average anual growth has been 11%.
Investments
have barely kept pace with demand. Between 1997 to 2007 it is estimated
that operators have invested US$8.6 Billion in new rolling stock,
technology, improvements and training. Another US$1.5 Billion are
slated for 2008, on top of the US$1.58 Billion already invested in
2007. Investments have had a beneficial effect on efficiencies, not
least of which is safety. Accidents have been reduced by 80.9% since
1997.
Container shipments have increased from 3,459 TEU to
220,050 in 2007. Today everything is being transported from
refrigerated perishables to glass and other construction materials.
Source: Revista Ferroviária, 0/28/08
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