Rocktree: reshaping commodity infrastructure

In the global landscape of commodity logistics, few operators can claim the ability to move large volumes through a coordinated, integrated set of logistics capabilities across strategic corridors like the Paragua–Parana Waterway, a critical artery for Brazil and Paraguay connecting inland production to global markets.

 

Rocktree stands out as one of the leading players in this segment, embodying an operational philosophy building deep local roots and developing open, right-sized routes.

 

The company’s ethos is inspired by a tree growing on bare rock — roots find a way.

 

Rocktree is a leading infrastructure service provider connecting production to consumption. Founded in 2007, the company today employs over 1,500 people across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, operating an integrated network of offshore floating terminals, tugs and barges, port terminals, shipyard and river transportation systems.

 

Rocktree develops infrastructure and logistics solutions that grow local economies and connect them to global markets. The vision is clear: to be the best logistics solution company in the world, making global trade more resilient, more efficient, and genuinely sustainable.

 

What sets Rocktree apart is its strategic approach. The company designs and operates trade routes that are resilient by structure. This means building deep local roots at origin through long-term investment in infrastructure, employment, skills, and local processing capabilities. It means developing open, right-sized routes that stay competitive through performance, connectivity, and scalability. And it means operating with efficiency over control, prioritizing flow over friction, competition over monopoly, and service over bureaucracy.

 

The Paraguay–Parana Waterway represents South America’s most important commercial artery, stretching over 4,000km through five countries: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay Bolivia, and Brazil.

 

For Paraguay, Bolivia and some regions of Brazil in particular, the waterway is a strategic backbone, enabling a scaled and cost-efficient access to international trade routes for bulk commodities. This corridor plays a crucial role in the exportation of agricultural and mineral commodities to global markets, connecting the productive hinterland areas with the Atlantic Ocean. For decades, this waterway has been the backbone of regional trade, enabling landlocked countries to access international markets efficiently.

 

Rocktree enables offshore top-off operations that allow large ocean-going vessels to sail fully laden despite draught constraints at most Río de la Plata ports. This system of offshore stevedoring improves vessel utilization, reduces voyage inefficiencies, and enhances overall sustainability across the logistics chain.

 

At the core of this solution is Mara, a dedicated transshipment vessel operating in the Alpha and Delta Zones of the Río de la Plata. Since 2024, Mara has enabled the top-off of Panamax vessels and the full loading of Capesize vessels, maximizing cargo intake and improving performance for both mines and ship operators, despite widespread port draft constraints.

 

RT Tannat complements this setup as the primary shuttle vessel. Joining the fleet in early 2025, the dry bulk carrier RT Tannat transports iron ore from upriver ports such as Nueva Palmira to the offshore loading areas, ensuring a stable and scalable feed to Mara. In its first year, Tannat completed over 40 voyages to the Montevideo Alpha Zone.

 

Operations are now scaling rapidly, with volumes nearly quadrupling versus 2024. This has driven further efficiency gains and enabled a record 71 OGVs loaded in 2025, with significant headroom to expand throughput. The waterway’s importance cannot be overstated. As global demand for raw materials continues to grow, driven by infrastructure development, energy transition, and population growth, efficient access to these resources becomes increasingly critical. The Paraguay–Parana Waterway offers a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternative to road transport, with river transportation driving significantly lower carbon emissions per tonne-kilometre moved. This aligns perfectly with Rocktree’s commitment to delivering sustainability through viability — what survives economically, survives sustainably.

 

The year 2025 marks a strategic turning point for Rocktree with the acquisition of Atria Soluciones Logisticas, one of the largest river logistics operators on the Paraguay–Parana Waterway. Founded in 1994, Atria brings a first-class portfolio of assets: 20 pushboats, 350+ dry barges, 70+ tank barges, two port terminals, a shipyard, and repair facilities. With over 500 employees and operations in five countries across more than 4,000km of waterways, Atria distinguishes itself as the sole operator of liquid cargo in the Alto Parana region and a primary operator for grains, offering dry and liquid bulk transportation along with integrated port services.

 

This operation enables Rocktree to manage operations at 360°, both via river and via sea, through an integrated corridor. Critically, the fully integrated company can now handle multiple commodities— not just iron ore, but also agricultural products, fertilizers, fuel oil, and other bulk cargoes that flow through the waterway. This diversification strengthens Rocktree’s market position and provides clients with a versatile partner capable of supporting their evolving needs across different commodity segments.

 

Rocktree’s convoys can now take a client’s cargo from their mine in Brazil, transport it 2,500km to Nueva Palmira in Uruguay, have it loaded onto RT Tannat which then transports it to Mara which, finally, through its offshore stevedoring capabilities, loads it onto an ocean-going vessel. This vertical integration eliminates handoff delays, reduces the risk of cargo damage, and gives clients complete visibility over their shipments throughout the entire journey.

 

The integration of Atria generates tangible and immediate advantages for clients. Rocktree is now able to offer a fully integrated service along the entire logistics chain: from port handling to river transport, to ocean vessel loading. Clients can now purchase all handling services from a single operator, rather than having to interface with multiple different providers.

 

This integrated model translates into a significant improvement in the cost-capacity ratio. The elimination of operational duplications, the simplification of contract management, and the optimized coordination between different phases of the supply chain allow for reduced overall costs and increased efficiency. For clients, this means direct economic savings, greater service reliability, more predictable transit times, and a single point of contact for all logistics needs.

 

The benefits extend beyond cost savings. With integrated operations, Rocktree can provide better visibility across the supply chain, faster response to changing conditions, and more flexible solutions tailored to each client’s specific requirements. This is what it means to be truly customer and future focused: anticipating needs and proposing solutions, not just answers.

 

The operational results of 2025 demonstrate the strength of the Rocktree offshore stevedoring model in Uruguay. Volumes handled by Mara have nearly quadrupled compared to 2024, growing from approximately 750,000 to over 2.8mt (million tonnes). The number of ocean-going vessels served increased dramatically, handling both Panamax and Capesize carriers. At the same time, the average loading rate has increased by over 30%, exceeding 33,000 tonnes per day.

 

These numbers are destined to grow and demonstrate a concrete capability: Rocktree can handle significantly larger volumes with increasing effectiveness and efficiency. The infrastructure and know-how are ready to support the demands of current and future clients, with ample room for further growth. For existing and potential customers, this means partnering with an operator that has proven scalability and the operational excellence to deliver on its commitments. The trajectory is clear: more capacity, better efficiency, and a relentless focus on continuous improvement.

 

At the foundation of Rocktree’s success are shared values: Safety First as an absolute priority; Customer Focused to anticipate client needs; Excellence Together to collaborate and solve problems end-to-end; Passion & Perseverance to stay calm and relentless under pressure; Push Boundaries to challenge the status quo and drive innovation; and Quick & Nimble to act with speed and remove friction. These values translate into a promise: Rocktree makes the impossible possible. This is because at Rocktree, roots always find a route.

 

Rocktree is a leading infrastructure service provider connecting production to consumption — building deep local roots and developing open, right-sized routes, making global trade more resilient, more efficient, and genuinely sustainable.

 

Founded in 2007, the company employs over 1,500 people across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Africa, operating an integrated network of offshore floating terminals with annual capacity in excess of 75 million tonnes, more than 460 tugs and barges, river port terminals, and a shipyard and repair facility.