en.Wedoany.com Reported - Brazil's largest grain-carrying inland river fleet has completed its first year of operation, marking a new milestone in the country's inland logistics. Operated by the Bertolini Group, the fleet is powered by the pushboat Bertolini CL, equipped with four Mitsubishi Marine S12R-MPTA engines, each with 1,180 horsepower. Currently operating in the restricted waters of the "Strait Region" on the Tocantins River, the fleet transports 62,500 tons of soybeans per voyage from Miritituba to Vila do Conde, representing an approximately 25% increase in capacity compared to similar operations.
A single voyage eliminates the need for approximately 1,250 trucks on the road for grain transport. Flávio Silveira, Industrial Director of the Bertolini Group, stated that the fleet is a strong example of the development of Brazil's road-water multimodal transport, a logistics model gaining more attention due to reduced costs, improved efficiency, and environmental friendliness. The partnership between Bertolini and Mitsubishi Marine began in 2006 and has evolved into one of the main technical alliances for inland river navigation in the Amazon region. Rodrigo Teixeira, Head of Maritime Business at Mitsubishi Marine, noted that these engines are simple to install and maintain, and their reliability was a key factor in the project's success.
The Bertolini CL was built by the Beconal shipyard and has a gross tonnage of approximately 450 tons. Soybeans from Brazil's Midwest, previously transported by road to the ports of Santos and Paranaguá, are now shipped via the waterway on the southern bank of the Amazon River to terminals in Itacoatiara, Santarém, Porto Velho, and Belém, where they are stored before being transshipped to export vessels. This shift is reshaping Brazilian agriculture logistics, driving development in northern Brazil, shortening land distances, and enhancing the international competitiveness of Brazilian agricultural products.
The expansion of river navigation also strengthens the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) agenda of the logistics industry. Compared to road transport, water transport has lower CO2 emissions per ton of cargo, helping to reduce heavy truck traffic and lower long-distance costs. The Bertolini Group will showcase these operational results at the TranspoAmazônia exhibition, held from May 27 to 29, 2026, including what it considers Brazil's largest road-water multimodal system and the performance of the Bertolini CL pushboat. The focus will be on forging new partnerships and intensifying discussions on Brazil's waterway infrastructure, logistics efficiency, and sustainability.
The Bertolini Group is regarded as Brazil's largest integrator of road-water multimodal transport, with a presence in 19 states, over 40 years of freight history in the northern region, and operations involving more than 75 pushboats and approximately 350 barges, covering road, waterway, and industrial transport. The group aims to strengthen cooperation with logistics operators, trading companies, agribusinesses, and supply chain partners through the exhibition.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
