The national government decided to extend for one year the concession that allows Ferrosur Roca S.A. to operate the freight trains of the Roca line. The measure was formalized this Thursday through resolution 1498, published in the Official Bulletin and signed by the Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo.
The decision aims to ensure the continuity of freight transport while a new contractual scheme is being developed. According to the official text, the contract will remain in effect until September 10, 2027, or until the new contract is finalized, whichever occurs first.
The resolution recalls that the term of the Concession Contract approved by decree 2681 of December 29, 1992, and its modifying acts is extended. Thus, the company controlled by Loma Negra through Cofesur will maintain the operation of the National Railway Network sector corresponding to the General Roca Line.
The Altamirano-Miramar corridor and urban sections are excluded from this continuity. The firm has operated this network since December 1992, when the original privatization of the freight service was completed.
A key network for the productive interior
The concessioned route covers 3110 kilometers of broad gauge tracks. It crosses the provinces of Neuquén, Río Negro, La Pampa, and Buenos Aires, connecting productive hubs from Zapala to the distribution centers of Greater Buenos Aires.
This route provides access to the main ports and consumption centers in the country. Therefore, the government emphasizes the importance of avoiding service interruptions while the future of the freight railway system is defined.
The extension occurs in a context of broader changes in the sector. A few weeks after this decision, the Executive plans to launch the bidding documents to privatize Belgrano Cargas, in a process that seeks to concession the freight railway operation for 50 years.
The contemplated scheme separates the Belgrano, San Martín, and Urquiza lines, and allows independent offers for infrastructure, railway operation, and workshops. The official schedule sets October 28 as the deadline for inquiries about the bidding documents and November 11 for the opening of offers.
Focus on 2027
The government's expectation is to award the new concessions and finalize the transfer of operation during 2027. In this context, the extension granted to Ferrosur Roca serves as a temporary bridge to avoid interrupting service on the Roca line.
From the Ministry of Economy, it is highlighted that the measure aims to organize the transition to a new management model without generating discontinuities in the transport of goods. The Roca line network moves products from various productive regions and is strategic for domestic trade and export.
Resolution 1498 does not introduce changes to the current operational conditions nor does it modify the sections that remain outside the concession. It only extends the validity period of the original contract until the indicated date or until the new agreement is signed.
With this decision, the Executive continues an operation that has been under the same operator for more than three decades while advancing in the redefinition of the national freight railway system. The focus is on completing the privatization processes planned for next year.
