The rail freight transport market in Chile reached a value of 3.4 billion tonne kilometers in 2023. From 2013 to 2023, the sector has seen significant fluctuations. Early on, there were minor gains and losses, becoming more volatile from 2017 onwards. Notably, 2019 experienced a steep decline of 19.29%. Despite a rebound in 2020, the past two years saw further reductions of 2.03% in 2021 and 1.61% in 2022. The average annual variation (CAGR) over the last five years stands at -2.28%, indicating an overall declining trend.
Looking forward, projections to 2028 suggest a continued decline with a forecast 5-year CAGR of -1.33%, amounting to a 6.46% total reduction in rail freight volume. As rail freight heads into 2024, strategic shifts and infrastructural investments will be essential to stabilize the sector.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Enhancements in rail infrastructure and technology.
- Economic and political factors impacting the mining and export sectors.
- Potential shifts towards more environmentally sustainable transport solutions.
