EcoRodovias concessionaire prepares to enter new areas
O Estado de S. Paulo 09/15/10
EcoRodovias group, which manages five roads in the southern and southeastern regions of the country, decided to go beyond the asphalt to expand the business. Until 2014, one of the main focuses of the company is to offer logistics services with the construction of cargo terminals in strategic areas close to ports and major centers of consumption. The company also wants to star in port and airport sectors in future bids. In the middle of the way, if there are any grant of roads, it also promises to evaluate the opportunities. Until 2013, R$ 3 billion (US$ 1.7 billion) will be invested in new undertakings and in old concessions. "Our goal is to create the largest company of integrated logistics of the country", notes Business Development CEO, Marcelino Rafart de Seras.He points out that, in addition to the concessions, the company already operates two logistics centers (called Ecopatios). One in Cubatão (SP), aimed at on import and export, and another on Rodovia Imigrantes aimed at cargo distribution. Nearly a month ago, a new area was leased in Campinas (SP) for the construction of the third terminal, which will have 1.8 million of square meters. The works should start within eight months. Another four terminals will be constructed in the coming years. The regions were already selected: Vale do Paraiba (SP), Curitiba (PR), Rio Grande (RS) and Foz do Iguaçu (PR) - In this last region in order to take advantage of the opportunities of the Triple Border (Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay) Seras said that each terminal costs, on average, R$ 150 million (US$ 85.7 million) and takes one year and a half to be completed.
Seras explains that this type of service made within the cargo terminal is common throughout the world. In Brazil the operation is just beginning. According to him, one of the main benefits of these undertakings is to organize, for example, the flow of cargo at ports. The terminals have a regulator patio, which controls the exit of vehicles towards the port. Thus, the goods arrive at the shipment moment, avoiding the huge queues. The executive notes that, according to the expansion plan of the Port of Santos, the cargo handling will jump from 84 million to 180 million tons in 2024. Another important point is concerning the dredging to deepen the access channel to the Port of Santos, which permit the entry of large-size ships (called post-Panamax).
Besides the terminal projects, which should meet part of the port demand, the company also purchased, in the first half, the Armazéns Gerais Columbia and the EADI Sul - storage company -, which has units in the South and Southeast regions. With the acquisition, EcoRodovias took an important step to its own consolidation in the sector. The company also has plans within the ports. One of the bets are the contracts of terminals leases that are expiring in the coming years, especially in Santos and Paranagua. EcoRodovias plans to dispute the areas that are placed on public bidings. Another segment that draws the attention of the company is the air cargo. If there are a public bid, the company will also investigate opportunities. Money is not a problem. The company raised R$ 874 million (US$ 499.4 million) in the first half.