Argentina extends Ferrosur Roca freight rail concession

The Argentine government has extended the freight train concession for the Roca Line by one year. Through resolution 1498, signed by Economy Minister Luis Caputo, Ferrosur Roca S.A. will continue operating the 3,110-kilometer network until September 10, 2027, or until a new contractual scheme is finalized.

The network spans the provinces of Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Río Negro, and La Pampa, connecting production hubs from Zapala to the Greater Buenos Aires distribution centers and major ports. Ferrosur Roca, controlled by Loma Negra via Cofesur, has held this concession since 1992.

This extension occurs amid a broader crisis in Argentina's railway sector. Following a declaration of railway emergency and the implementation of adjustment policies in 2024, the system has faced significant budget cuts and a halt in infrastructure maintenance and track renewal projects. The sector currently experiences a marked disparity between different services due to these fiscal constraints.