Between 2013 and 2023, Chile's rail freight transport volume displayed a fluctuating trend, peaking in 2014 at 4.1 Billion Tonne Kilometers and steadily declining thereafter. As of 2023, it stood at 3.4 Billion Tonne Kilometers. Analysis of year-on-year variations reveals significant drops in key years, notably a 19.29% decrease in 2019 followed by a partial recovery in 2020 with a 16.42% increase. Over the last five years, the CAGR saw a decline of -2.28%, indicating a persistent downward trend.
Future trends indicate continued decline, with forecasts predicting a drop from 3.34 Billion Tonne Kilometers in 2024 to 3.13 Billion Tonne Kilometers by 2028. The projected average annual contraction rate over the next five years is approximately -1.33%, resulting in an overall forecasted reduction of -6.46% over this period.
Future trends to watch:
- Impact of infrastructure investments: Government or private sector initiatives to improve rail infrastructure could reverse the declining trend.
- Commodity price fluctuations: Changes in the prices of key exported or imported goods transported by rail could affect volumes.
- Environmental policies: Increased focus on sustainable transport solutions might influence rail freight utilization.
