Rock Removal at Pedral do Lourenço Boosts Logistics in the Amazon and Strengthens Brazil’s Cargo Transport, Says NTC&Logística

On May 28, Brazil’s environmental agency Ibama granted the Installation License for the rock removal project at Pedral do Lourenço, a rocky formation on the Tocantins River in Pará state. The authorization marks a strategic step toward making the Tocantins-Araguaia Waterway viable and was welcomed by the National Association of Cargo Transport and Logistics (NTC&Logística), which views it as a decisive move for the sustainable development of logistics in northern Brazil and across the country.

Pedral do Lourenço, located between Marabá and the Tucuruí reservoir, has long been a navigational barrier—especially during dry seasons. Removing the formation will allow vessels to sail year-round, transporting grain, minerals, and other goods more efficiently, with lower environmental impact and reduced operational costs.

NTC&Logística president Eduardo Rebuzzi called the decision a necessary advance:
“It’s a historic achievement for national logistics, especially for the development of the North. Waterway transport is crucial for reducing inequalities, enhancing competitiveness, and expanding Brazil’s logistics network. The Pedral do Lourenço rock removal is a strategic project that must move forward responsibly and with ongoing investment. It must also be accompanied by public policies that promote full use of the waterway and ensure its integration with other transport modes.”

NTC&Logística’s Vice President for Transportation in the Amazon, Daniel Bertolini, emphasized that the authorization represents a turning point for transport in the region and the country as a whole:
“The North plays a vital role in Brazil’s logistics matrix. This green light for rock removal is a concrete response to the need for better infrastructure, enabling river freight to compete on equal terms with other transport modes. This project will enable the transportation of millions of tons with reduced environmental impact and lower costs, benefiting producers, exporters, and carriers nationwide. It’s a direct win for regional and national logistics.”

Bertolini also pointed out that the Tocantins-Araguaia Waterway will be key to linking Brazil’s productive Midwest to the northern ports, especially Vila do Conde in Barcarena (PA), promoting smarter and more sustainable integration:

“This project goes beyond the Amazon. It affects agribusiness, mining, ports, and the entire national logistics chain. It’s proof that, with planning and a long-term vision, we can turn bottlenecks into opportunities.”

Once completed, the waterway’s capacity is expected to reach up to 20 million tons per year. Ibama’s decision also includes strict environmental conditions, such as fauna monitoring, water quality control, and mitigation of noise and vibration impacts, ensuring the project progresses responsibly.

NTC&Logística reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transport infrastructure across Brazil, especially in the North, where growth potential is immense. For the association, the future of logistics depends on modal diversification and real, efficient, and sustainable integration.

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