The Argentine Secretariat of Transportation has launched a new phase in the country’s railway system, aiming to implement an open access model for freight transport. The plan includes a contractual reorganization that terminates the transitional regime adopted in 2021, which caused numerous operational issues and weakened existing infrastructure.

Nuevo Central Argentino S.A. will continue operating the service under new conditions until December 2032, with added obligations related to infrastructure works and accessibility. According to the official statement, improvements will be made to critical points in the railway network, with a special focus on access to the ports of Greater Rosario, a strategic hub for national logistics.

The measure is part of the Railway Emergency framework and seeks to establish a more transparent, competitive, and market-responsive system. The government aims to overhaul the outdated and fragmented concession model by gradually incorporating more operators under clear conditions.

Ferrosur Roca and Ferroexpreso Pampeano have also been invited to submit their own proposals for contractual adjustments. Both companies hold concessions over other key sections of the country, and their participation will be essential to advance the widespread opening of the freight railway system.

Meanwhile, the parallel privatization process of Belgrano Cargas y Logística, the state-owned operator excluded from the 2021 reforms, continues. That earlier reform, driven by the previous administration, had delegated part of the services to Trenes Argentinos Cargas without a robust structure to ensure operational viability.

The new contract with Nuevo Central Argentino includes specific investment commitments and aims to strengthen the network before allowing third-party operators to enter. Coordination between public and private sectors is a cornerstone of this transformation, emphasizing regulatory compliance and legal predictability for all stakeholders involved.