VLI
VLI is a Brazilian integrated multimodal logistics operator combining ~8,000 km of rail freight (FNS, FCA), three port terminals, and road transport to serve agribusiness, steel, mining, fertilizer, and fuel clients across 10 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersBelo Horizonte, Brazil
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What VLI does
VLI S.A. is a privately held Brazilian integrated multimodal logistics operator founded in 2010 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vale S.A., later recapitalized with Brookfield (36.5%), Vale (29.6%), FI-FGTS (15.9%), Mitsui (10%), and BNDESPar (8%) as shareholders. The company operates under government-granted concessions for the North-South Railway (FNS) and Center-Atlantic Railway (FCA), managing nearly 8,000 km of rail infrastructure across 300+ municipalities in 10 Brazilian states, alongside three strategic port terminals (Tiplam in Santos, TPSL in São Luís, TMIB in Vitória) and a network of integrator terminals.
VLI generates revenue through usage-based rail freight (priced per ton-kilometer, totaling ~15 billion TKU annually), transaction-based port terminal handling, road transport services via its proprietary Trato digital platform, and maritime chartering. The customer base is heavily concentrated in Brazilian B2B enterprise accounts across agribusiness (Cargill, ADM, Bunge, Cofco, Amaggi, Caramuru), sugar/ethanol (Tereos under a 30-year contract, bp bioenergy, Copersucar), fertilizers (Mosaic, EuroChem, OCP Africa), mining and steel (Vale, Usiminas, Gerdau, Aperam), fuel distribution (Petrobras, Raízen, Ipiranga), and pulp/forestry (LD Celulose). In FY2023, VLI reported net revenue of R$9.1 billion (19% YoY growth, a company record), handled 34.4 million tons of grains/soybean meal and 9.3 million tons of forestry/pulp products, and reinvested approximately R$2.0 billion in operating asset maintenance.
The company's technology stack centers on a digital and AI-augmented logistics platform: Trato (road logistics orchestration, having managed 2 million+ trips in 4 years), Fuelytics (fuel optimization via mathematical modeling, saving 940,000 liters of diesel in one year), Speed (AI-powered ship loading/unloading planner, reducing equipment idle time by up to 62% and winning the 2024 Inovativos Award), Project Leader (semi-autonomous locomotive energy optimization), and SemC (rail-based carbon credit service for clients). The Inova VLI hub houses intrapreneurship, open innovation, and corporate venture programs, including a 2023 investment in agritech startup Brasil Agritest. VLI holds ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 37001 certifications and operates under Brazil's LGPD data protection regime.
VLI firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- VLI
- Legal name
- VLI S.A.
- Website
- https://vli-logistica.com.br
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- VLI is a Brazilian integrated multimodal logistics operator combining ~8,000 km of rail freight (FNS, FCA), three port terminals, and road transport to serve agribusiness, steel, mining, fertilizer, and fuel clients across 10 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
VLI industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Multimodal Rail Freight and Port Logistics
- NAICS
- Freight Transportation Arrangement (48851), Marine Cargo Handling (488320), Support Activities for Transportation (488)
- SIC
- Railroads, Line-Haul Operating (4011), Arrangement Of Transportation Of Freight & Cargo (4731), Public Warehousing & Storage (4220)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Managed Transportation Services (MTS) / Outsourced TMS Operations (TLAIAEAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial Minerals & Chemicals (Non-Haz Bulk Powders) Transport (TLADAKAJ)
Keywords
Where VLI is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Belo Horizonte
- HQ country
- Brazil
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices15 records
Markets served
VLI business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Rail Freight Transportation: Primary revenue stream from freight transportation via railway networks (FNS and FCA), charging based on volume and distance (TKU - tons per useful kilometer).
- Port Terminal Operations: Revenue from handling, storage, and loading/unloading services at port terminals (Santos/Tiplam, São Luís/TPSL, Vitória/TMIB).
- Road Transport Services: Road transport solutions managed through the Trato platform, including multimodal integration services.
- Maritime Chartering: Chartering services providing vessels for export, import, and cabotage cargo transportation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Multi-year contract | Railway freight rates published for regulatory compliance (FCA and FNS) |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Multi-year contract | Port terminal rates for TIPLAM and TMIB |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
VLI product offering
Product offeringCore offering
VLI provides integrated multimodal logistics services in Brazil through a combined network of two government-concessioned railways (Ferrovia Norte-Sul and Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica), port terminals (Tiplam, TPSL, TMIB), intermodal terminals, and digital road transport management via the Trato platform. The company transports agricultural commodities (grains, sugar), fertilizers, fuels, forestry products, steel, and minerals between production regions and export ports across 10 Brazilian states.
Product overview
VLI is a sustainable multimodal logistics company offering integrated transportation solutions through a system of railways (Ferrovia Norte-Sul and Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica), intermodal terminals, and port terminals. The core product portfolio includes TRATO (road logistics optimization platform), Speed (AI-powered ship planning system), and Fuelytics (fuel optimization tool). Additional offerings include SemC (carbon credit service), Chartering (maritime services), and storage solutions. VLI operates a digital ecosystem with 40+ Industry 4.0 projects through its Inova VLI innovation hub, supporting multimodal operations across North, Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest Brazil.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Inova VLI: VLI's Technology, Innovation, and Digital Transformation Hub and accelerator program, including initiatives such as Inova VLI Entrepreneurs Program, Inova VLI Ventures & Seeds, and Inovação Aberta.
- Trato
- Fuelytics
- Speed
- SemC
- Alô VLI
Products and services
- Rail Freight Transportation Multimodal rail freight transportation across nearly 8,000 km of concessioned railway (FNS and FCA), connecting production regions to export ports across 10 Brazilian states. Volume measured in TKU (tons per useful kilometer). Annual railway volume of 14.9 billion TKU.
- Port Terminal Operations Direct operation of strategic port terminals at Santos (Tiplam), São Luís (TPSL at Porto do Itaqui), and Vitória (TMIB), providing cargo handling, storage, and loading/unloading services for export and import of commodities. Tiplam handles 20% of Baixada Santista sugar exports.
- Intermodal Terminal Operations Network of integrator terminals (Porto Franco in Maranhão, TIPA in Palmeirante/Tocantins, TIPN in Porto Nacional/Tocantins, Uberaba in Minas Gerais, Guará in São Paulo) for grain and fertilizer transshipment between rail and road transport. Combined throughput of Palmeirante and Porto Nacional terminals grew 320% from 1.9 million tons (2016) to 8 million tons (2025).
- Trato Platform (Road Transport Solutions) Digital logistics optimization platform for road transport operations, managing end-to-end road freight from planning and hiring services to execution and payment. Has managed 2 million road transport trips over 4 years.
- Speed (Ship Loading and Unloading Planning System) AI-powered port planning tool that uses naval calculations and Artificial Intelligence to simulate operational scenarios and develop optimized cargo handling plans, balancing port capacity with vessel stability requirements. Reduced equipment idle time by up to 62% and increased commercial rate by 2%.
- Maritime Chartering Services (Afretamento) Maritime chartering services providing vessels for export, import, and cabotage cargo transportation, expanding VLI's integrated multimodal logistics offering into the maritime sector.
- Storage Services (Armazena) Storage solutions for agricultural commodities at integrator terminals including warehouses co-created with Tereos at Tiplam and Guará terminals.
- SemC Carbon Neutralization Service Carbon credit integration service that helps clients neutralize greenhouse gas emissions from transport operations by associating carbon credits with rail operations, providing full traceability and auditability.
Quantifiable outcome
- 15% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per ton transported by 2030
- +11 more outcomes
Companies that use VLI
Customer profileNamed customers27 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
VLI technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
VLI partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- VportscorePartnership to create railway-port integration for ferro-gusa exports from Espírito Santo. R$ 16 million investment in railway moega (unloading structure). Connects Estrada de Ferro Vitória a Minas (EFVM) and FCA to Vports port terminals. Enables shipment of larger vessels due to port depth.
- MultiliftcorePartnership for ferro-gusa transport logistics in Espírito Santo. Multilift operates port, storage, and road transport operations, connected to VLI railway system via Vports moega. Direct connection to Porto de Vitória for export.
- bp bioenergy (bp Bunge Bioenergia)coreLong-term multimodal sugar transport partnership. VLI transports sugar from bp bioenergy's 9 sugar mills in São Paulo, Minas Gerais, and Goiás to Tiplam port for export. VLI handles 20% of Baixada Santista sugar exports. 6.4 million tons transported over 5 harvests. Trato platform provides road transport from mills to VLI terminals.
- Embrapa CerradoscoreLabCerrado program partnership to promote agricultural innovation in Brazilian Cerrado. Combines VLI's logistics infrastructure with Embrapa's research capabilities. Focus on regenerative agriculture, no-till farming, bio-inputs, and integrated production systems. Aims to create agricultural innovation network in regions connected to VLI's logistics network.
- SENAI (Serviço Nacional de Aprendizagem Industrial)minorPartnership to offer vocational training courses (Electrical Industrial, Mechanical Fitting) in Imperatriz, Maranhão. VLI provides corporate vouchers for training. Courses include exclusive classes for women as part of diversity commitment. Program part of Federal Government's Emprega Mais initiative.
- Tereoscore30-year contract for sugar transport from interior São Paulo to coast. VLI co-created new warehouses at Tiplam and Guará terminals with Tereos. 955,000 tons of sugar moved in 12 months using these facilities. Tereos is a major French cooperative in sugar, ethanol, and starch production.
- Instituto EthosminorVLI signed Corporate Pact for Integrity and Against Corruption, commitment to promote ethical market practices and reduce corruption. Includes annual self-assessment on corruption prevention and compliance.
- Instituto de Pesca (APTA)minorTechnical support partnership for Our Fishing Bait Initiative in Baixada Santista (Santos, São Vicente, Cubatão, Guarujá). Program teaches local fishermen to farm shrimp and lambari fish for sport fishing bait sales. Provides alternative income source while strengthening local economy and culture.
- Fundepag (Fundação de Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa Agricola)minorPartner supporting fishing bait initiative in Baixada Santista region. Works with Instituto de Pesca to provide technical assistance for aquaculture training program.
- UN Global CompactminorVLI joined UN Global Compact 100% Transparency Movement in 2025, reaffirming dedication to transparency and integrity. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
- AIC (Agência de Iniciativas Cidadãs)minorSafety nos Trilhos (Safety on Rails) project partnership to promote railway safety awareness in communities near FCA railway. Activities include educational blitze, theatrical processions, and discussion circles in cities across Minas Gerais and São Paulo. Funded through Federal Cultural Incentive Law (Lei Rouanet).
Scale indicators27 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
VLI competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Rumo S.A. Brazil's largest rail logistics operator (RAIL3), running Rumo Malha Norte, Paulista, Sul, and Oeste plus integrated terminals and a Brado container-rail subsidiary. Direct competitor to VLI on grain, sugar, and fertilizer corridors connecting interior Brazil to Santos and Paranaguá.
- MRS Logística: Heavy-haul rail operator in the Southeast iron-ore/steel corridor between Minas Gerais and the Port of Itaguaí/Rio. Closely comparable to VLI's FCA East Corridor in customers (steel, mining) and integrated rail+port model.
- Hidrovias do Brasil: Brazilian inland waterway logistics operator (HBSA3) moving grains, fertilizers, and minerals via Tietê-Paraná and Paraguay-Paraná waterways. Comparable multimodal bulk-logistics model serving the same agribusiness shippers competing with VLI's rail+port network.
- Santos Brasil: Operator of the Tecon Santos container terminal at the Port of Santos, plus Tecon Imbituba. Direct port-terminal peer to VLI's TIPLAM at the same port complex, sharing the same hinterland cargo flows.
- Brado Logística: Rumo's container-rail logistics subsidiary operating intermodal terminals and dedicated block trains. Closely comparable to VLI's Trato platform in serving shippers with rail+road intermodal solutions.
Broad incumbents
- Vale S.A. Global mining major that founded VLI in 2010 and retains a 29.6% stake while being a major mining customer. Operates EFVM and EFC rail corridors and owns its own ports (Tubarão), making it both shareholder/customer and a competing integrated rail+port operator.
- DP World: Global port and logistics operator with a major terminal (Brasil Terminal Portuário / DP World Santos) at the Port of Santos. Competes with VLI's TIPLAM for containerized and bulk cargo handling in the same gateway port.
Regional players
- Vports: Brazilian port operator in Espírito Santo partnered with VLI on the R$16M ferro-gusa moega and railway-port integration for export via Porto de Vitória. Adjacent port infrastructure peer competing for the same steel/mining flows in Southeast Brazil.
- Wilson Sons: Brazilian port and towage operator (PORT3) with terminals and harbor services across multiple Brazilian ports. Comparable port-operating capability in the same coastal footprint where VLI runs Tiplam, TPSL, and TMIB.
Emerging players
- Bamin (Bahia Mineração): Brazilian integrated iron-ore mining and logistics operator developing the FIOL (Ferrovia de Integração Oeste-Leste) railway and Porto Sul. Emerging peer with a similar rail-plus-port concession model for bulk commodity exports.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
VLI social profiles
Digital presenceVLI compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
VLI financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
VLI leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
VLI subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
VLI funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
VLI M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about VLI
What does VLI do?
VLI provides integrated multimodal logistics services in Brazil through a combined network of two government-concessioned railways (Ferrovia Norte-Sul and Ferrovia Centro-Atlântica), port terminals (Tiplam, TPSL, TMIB), intermodal terminals, and digital road transport management via the Trato platform. The company transports agricultural commodities (grains, sugar), fertilizers, fuels, forestry products, steel, and minerals between production regions and export ports across 10 Brazilian states.
Is VLI a public or private company?
VLI is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was VLI founded?
VLI was founded in 2010. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is VLI based?
VLI is headquartered in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in the Latin America region.
How does VLI make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Rail Freight Transportation is the primary driver. The others are port Terminal Operations, road Transport Services and maritime Chartering.
Who are VLI's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Rumo S.A., MRS Logística, Hidrovias do Brasil, Santos Brasil and Brado Logística. Broad incumbents are Vale S.A. and DP World. Regional players are Vports and Wilson Sons. Bamin (Bahia Mineração) is listed as an emerging player.
Does VLI have an API?
No public API is recorded for VLI.
What industry is VLI in?
VLI's product category is Multimodal Rail Freight and Port Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAIAEAB, Managed Transportation Services (MTS) / Outsourced TMS Operations, with a secondary code of TLADAKAJ, Industrial Minerals & Chemicals (Non-Haz Bulk Powders) Transport. Its NAICS code is 48851 and its SIC code is 4011.