Brazil and the United Kingdom have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to deepen technical cooperation in the railway sector. The Brazilian Ministry of Transport formalized the agreement today with Crossrail International Limited, an entity linked to the UK’s Department for Transport, to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration in railway planning, regulation, and logistical efficiency.
The partnership aims to strengthen Brazil’s commitment to best practices, responsible planning, and stable regulatory environments—key elements to attract investment and enable structured infrastructure projects, said Leonardo Ribeiro, Brazil’s National Secretary for Railway Transport.
The MoU sets out guidelines for sharing expertise and experiences in areas such as planning, governance, regulation, sustainability, operational safety, and infrastructure financing models. It also establishes a communication channel with several British institutions, including UK Export Finance, the Office of Rail and Road, Transport for London (TfL), and Network Rail.
Mark Lench, Director of Development at Crossrail International, described the agreement as the start of a new phase in bilateral cooperation. “We are committed to making our knowledge and experience available to the Brazilian government. We see this memorandum as the beginning of a long-term partnership for Brazil’s railway network,” he said.
The signing ceremony was attended by Ana Patrizia Lira, President-Director of the National Association of Rail Passenger Transporters (ANPTrilhos); Marcelo Moreira, Deputy Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and Budget; and Graham Knight, UK Embassy’s Counsellor for Climate, Nature, and Energy in Brazil.
Investment Expansion on the Horizon
The agreement comes at a time of renewed investment in Brazil’s rail sector. The National Railway Concession Policy, launched in November 2025, has assembled a pipeline of projects totaling over 9,000 kilometers of new and upgraded railways. The government expects to hold eight auctions, aiming to attract around R$140 billion in initial investments, with a potential total of up to R$600 billion over the life of the contracts.
Key projects include the Southeast Railway Ring (EF-118), Ferrogrão, the East-West Corridor, the Western Network, and corridors within the Southern Network.
“Brazil’s freight rail sector is experiencing an excellent moment, with record production, fewer accidents, and improved operational efficiency,” said Davi Barreto, President-Director of the National Association of Railway Transporters (ANTF).
Strategic Projects Underway
Progress is already visible in several strategic initiatives. The Center-West Integration Railway (FICO) reached over 35% completion in 2025 and is considered vital for agricultural logistics, linking Goiás and Mato Grosso and integrating with the North-South Railway.
In addition to freight, the Ministry of Transport is advancing its passenger rail agenda. Six priority projects have been identified for regular or occasional service, including the Brasília (DF) – Luziânia (GO) corridor, which is in the final stages of planning.
Source: Agência Gov
